MASSILLON, Ohio — Massillon Washington High School head football coach and athletic director Nate Moore is back on the job following an internal investigation of an alleged hazing incident involving players on his team.
Superintendent Paul Salvino confirmed Tuesday that Moore was reinstated from paid administrative leave a week ago. He stated that members of the school district had examined "all aspects of the situation" and are "extremely confident in [Moore's] ability to lead our athletic programs as well as our football team."
"Once again, we have the utmost confidence in Coach Moore's leadership moving forward," Salvino wrote. He did not go into any particulars about the investigation.
The review stems from an incident that purportedly took place during a football practice on June 26, when according to a police report, multiple players took part in a game where half a dozen or more teens rushed an unsuspecting target, tackling him to the ground and taking an article of clothing from him. While most of those targeted were able to escape without losing an article of clothing or only a shoe, one stated he had his shorts taken and was naked from the waist down.
Authorities say the encounter was filmed on Snapchat by a player, who eventually deleted the footage but was still able to show it to Moore. While the coach did not believe that video had been shared, he later reported receiving a second video of the incident via a Washington High student, and shared that footage with law enforcement.
Salvino told The Massillon Independent that Moore was placed on leave on July 13 and that officials would be speaking with other members of the coaching staff about the allegations. Salvino had also indicated the players were not being supervised by the adults when the proceedings took place.
Per the police report, district administrators had identified six potential victims and 15 possible suspects, including four players involved in taking the one teen's shorts off. Both the student who was targeted as well as his mother told authorities they did not want to pursue criminal charges, although the Stark County Prosecutor's Office confirmed to 3News they were looking into the case.
With preseason practices now underway, Massillon is set to open its regular season on Aug. 18 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium against Valdosta, Georgia.