Sarasota’s Booker High School was fined by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), and former football coach Carlos Woods was suspended from coaching the Tornadoes’ fall preseason game. An FHSAA investigation found eighth graders participated in spring football practices with high school students, according to a report obtained by the Herald-Tribune.
FHSAA rules state eighth graders “may not participate in practice or have physical contact in any manner with student-athletes in 9th, 10th or 11th grades who are members of the high school team.”
If accepted to a high school, eighth graders may practice and receive instruction from high school coaches if certain procedures are followed, including written approval from the FHSAA office, written permission from the middle and high school head of schools and the eighth grader passes a physical.
An FHSAA investigation found incoming Booker freshmen were seen participating during an intrasquad scrimmage on an NFHS Network broadcast. The incoming students were also seen in social media posts participating in spring practices against high school students.
Booker was fined $500 and will be placed on administrative probation until May 25, 2027, meaning that the school will be under strict observation for one full school calendar year. Woods was also suspended from coaching or attending the fall preseason game.
But before serving the suspension, Woods was dismissed as football coach and athletic director in mid-July for still unspecified reasons.
Booker Athletic Director Angie Byrd has not responded to the Herald-Tribune’s request for comment.
Since Woods’ dismissal, at least 21 players have left Booker High’s football program. Four-time state champion Venice, Palmetto and out-of-state opponent St. John’s in Washington D.C. have all had their regular-season games cancelled against Booker, leaving the Tornadoes without opponents for the first three weeks of the season. Manatee also cancelled its fall classic game against the Tornadoes, scheduled for Aug.14.
The Tornadoes announced their hiring of Lance Hoeltke as head coach on July 29.
On July 30, the Sarasota Police Department released a statement stating Woods was being investigated criminally after the police department received allegations “from an outside agency.”
“The investigation is active and ongoing,” the statement said. “At this time, the criminal investigation involving Mr. Woods does not involve any harm or wrongdoings toward any student.”
The SPD has no updates as of Monday, August 10, stating that the criminal investigation is still ongoing.
Woods has denied his involvement in any criminal investigation in a statement posted to his Facebook page on July 29.
“I am not the subject of any active criminal investigation,” Woods wrote, adding later, “I have always been willing to answer questions honestly and transparently, and I remain committed to protecting my reputation and the truth.”
In 2025, Woods replaced former coach and athletic director Scottie Littles after he resigned in April 2025. Littles was suspended twice by the FHSAA during his three seasons leading the Tornadoes. He had a six-game suspension reduced to three games in 2025 after an FHSAA investigation determined Littles violated its improper conduct and impermissible benefits policy for meeting with a Riverview student and his mother.
He was fined $5,000 and placed on a one-year probationary program. Littles also received a three-game suspension for use of profanity toward game officials during a 2024 Class 3A state semifinal game, while the school received a $550 fine.
Emma Moon covers high school sports for The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Email her at emoon@usatodayco.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota high school fined after FHSAA probe | Exclusive
Reporting by Emma Moon, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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By Emma Moon, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
