Local

NAACP claims more parents have accused coach of acting too rough

ALBEMARLE, N.C. — Tuesday night, the father of a child who said his son was slammed to the ground by a football coach spoke only to Eyewitness News.

Members of the group met to organize a grievance in regards to complaints about Albemarle Middle School football coach Craig Williams. The NAACP claims two more parents have now accused the coach of acting too rough with their children on the field. The NAACP said they plan to file a grievance with the school board on Wednesday.

Eyewitness News first reported about the investigation at Albemarle Middle School about a month ago. A father claims his 12-year-old son was thrown to the ground by the football coach.

"He grabbed him and slammed him over the bench. Then he got over top of him and said some derogatory statements," he said.

The father didn’t want to show his face on camera.

The school district suspended both the coach and the player for two football games after the incident. Parents said the coach was punished for allegedly reprimanding the student in a harsh way, and the player for allegedly cursing at the coach.

Police said they investigated the incident and handed it over to the District Attorney's Office.

Eyewitness News reached out to Coach Williams several times, since the reports first surfaced. Tuesday we were told he wasn’t home when we called his house.

The NAACP said they will pursue the case with police if the school board doesn’t respond to their request.

Tuesday was the first time the coach and the student were allowed to take part in a football game since their suspension.