Gadsden County football is in a lot of trouble with the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Jaguars coach Russell Ellington and eight unnamed played have been suspended for a year, the school has been fined $21,500 and the football team has been banned from the postseason in 2025. The school can appeal the decision.
Much of the issues surrounding the school revolve around non-traditional students and whether the school properly reported them to the state.
Here’s what we know about non-traditional students, Gadsden County’s situation and what’s next for the school and the FHSAA.
How does the FHSAA define a non-traditional student?
According to FHSAA Bylaw 1.4.31, “Non-Traditional Students are students who are not enrolled in and do not physically attend the school at which they participate. These include home education students, Personalized Education Program (PEP) students, charter school students, approved alternative/special school students, private school students, virtual school students, and traditional public school students.”
The FHSAA allows students who attend one school to play a sport at another school if the school they attend does not offer that sport.
Does Gadsden County’s football team have non-traditional students?
Yes. Three of the FHSAA’s six violations specially mention non-traditional students. The primary issues are Gadsden County not reporting the players as non-traditional students or allowing them to participate in summer activities without fully completing the non-tradition student registration process.
At least some team’s players in 2024 attended Tallahassee Academy International. Michael Tunsil, who is listed on public records as the Tallahassee Academy International’s manager, was on Gadsden County’s sideline during the Class 2A state championship game.
Do a lot of Florida football teams have non-traditional students?
While “a lot” is a subjective term, Gadsden County certainly isn’t the only one. It’s commonplace in Miami for top athletes to attend a school that doesn’t offer athletics and play sports at another school. And while it’s been happening more in recent years, it’s certainly not a new concept.
Perhaps the most famous example is Tim Tebow, who was homeschooled but played football at both Trinity Christian and Nease. He led Nease to the Class 4A state championship in 2005.
Has Gadsden County appealed the FHSAA findings?
The FHSAA sent its findings to Gadsden County on July 25, and the school has 10 business days to file an appeal. According to the FHSAA, as of 8 a.m. July 30, Gadsden County had not yet filed an appeal. Ellington said on July 28 that the school will appeal the decision. The sectional appeals hearing date is Aug. 5.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gadsden County football is in trouble after FHSAA rules violations. What we know
Reporting by Jon Santucci, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
