Ringgold High School coach resigns amid hazing investigation

Ringgold High School's baseball coach has resigned amid an investigation involving what some parents say was unsavory behavior on a trip to Florida.

A parent accused players of hazing other teammates and drinking alcohol during the recent team trip.

Jim Coulter, who resigned as the baseball coach Thursday night, maintains he did nothing wrong.

"I was told that the school board or the school district was considering (taking) the program away," Coulter said. "I wouldn't call it hazing and I wasn't present. It was kids being kids. They're 15-year-old boys."

Junior outfielder and pitcher Bo Haines said he was there and there was no inappropriate behavior.

"We were just messing around having a fun time. We're a family," Haines said "No one was forced to do anything. No one was held down."

In a statement, Ringgold High School Athletic Director Laura Grimm said:

"As of right now, there have been allegations of misconduct that took place during the baseball trip in Florida. Currently we are investigating this matter and because it involves minors, we cannot comment beyond that. I can assure you that the safety and welfare of our students is our number one priority and we are working diligently to get to the bottom of this matter."

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