After 11 seasons, Hal Wasson officially out as Southlake Carroll football coach
The Carroll school district posted the position for a new head coach Monday, marking an official end to Hal Wasson's time as head football coach at Southlake Carroll after 11 years.
Carroll posted the vacancy as "High School Teaching, Teacher and Coach" following the news that Wasson and school officials agreed on a settlement late Sunday.
Monday's school board meeting agenda posted, in executive session, an item for discussion of "Consideration and Possible Action on Employment, Evaluation, Duties and Responsibilities of High School Head Football Coach."
After two hours behind closed doors, Monday's meeting reconvened, no further action was taken regarding Wasson.
A source said Sunday that Wasson and Carroll ISD settled for the balance of his two-year contract, for $165,300.26. Wasson will be paid for the rest of 2017-18 and all of 2018-19.
Wasson's attorney, Karl "Tiger" Hanner confirmed the settlement, but did say that the two parties negotiated for one and “didn’t simply accept their offer.”
Hanner also released a statement on his client's behalf late Sunday.
"I deeply regret not being allowed to meet face to face with my players and coaches and say my goodbyes," Wasson said.
Later he added, "We did things the right way — with dignity, honor and respect. I implore all of my players to remember what we taught you."
At a Feb. 20 special board meeting, trustees spent over three hours in executive session.
Carroll superintendent David Faltys, the district's attorney, Wasson, and Hanner began negotiations that night on a buyout, which was reached on Sunday.
“I wanted to take a moment to thank Coach Wasson for his years of service and contribution to the football program. I’d just personally hate one’s reputation impacted in the manner in which this is played out," board secretary Danny Gilpin said Feb. 20.
A source confirmed that earlier on Monday athletic director Darren Allman met with members of the Carroll football program.
“I wanted to express that I am personally disappointed in the overall process and how this investigation was initiated and how it was conducted," Gilpin added on Feb. 20.
Carroll and Wasson’s relationship started to go downhill after the school district put their head coach on paid administrative leave on Jan. 24.
Faltys said in an email letter to Dragon Football Families that the district had determined there was a need to conduct an internal review of the program.
On Feb. 5, the trustees again spent over three hours in executive session only to return with no decision.
Seven people, six parents, spoke publicly in front of the board and showed their support for Wasson.
On Feb. 16, a Carroll ISD report listed a variety of UIL violations by the high school football program, including coaching infractions and non-sanctioned summer camps held on district property.
A copy of the report was obtained through an Open Records Request by the Star-Telegram.
The findings:
▪ The head coach held two football summer team camps within the boundaries of the school district. Only one is allowed by the UIL, and students were solicited to attend both camps.
▪ A sixth-grade football camp for Carroll students was held at the high school on dates prohibited by the UIL, and Carroll football coaches were paid to conduct the camp.
▪ Carroll football coaches held camps in the Carroll attendance zone that were attended by students who play on the Carroll football teams, which is a UIL violation.
▪ Carroll football coaches instructed athletes in football specific drills outside of the school day during the off-season, which is a UIL violation.
▪ Football sub-varsity athletes were required to go through off-season workouts on game day, which is a UIL violation.
▪ Coaches, who were under contract with other districts, were working with members of the Dragon football team before they officially joined the Carroll program, which is a UIL violation.
On each of the findings, the report included corrective actions being taken by the district. These include annual audits of all camps by the athletic director, and education provided to players, parents, staff and coaches on UIL rules and guidelines.
The UIL report was only one part of Carroll’s review. The rest of the district’s review centered around the culture of the program and its policies and procedures.
Wasson, 61, was 121-25 with an .829 winning percentage at Carroll, including a state championship in 2011. The Dragons finished 10-4 in 2017 and advanced to the Class 6A Division II state quarterfinals before falling to Waco Midway, 42-28.
Hanner stated on Monday that Wasson has no plans to retire and wants to coach in 2018.
If Wasson doesn't coach again, he’ll finish his career with a 249-114-3 record. He spent four years at Keller Fossil Ridge prior to Carroll. Wasson also had stints at Italy, San Saba, Pittsburgh, Kerens, Mexia and Liberty Hill.
The next board meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 5.
This story was originally published February 26, 2018 at 9:29 PM with the headline "After 11 seasons, Hal Wasson officially out as Southlake Carroll football coach."