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| Jermain Crowell |
His resignation, effective Dec. 1, follows weeks of controversy and allegations of improper recruiting techniques by Crowell who led the team to multiple state championships. Crowell was barred from coaching any sport at any school for the next two academic years by the Michigan High School Athletic Association following an investigation of the allegations. Crowell was found to have violated the undue influence rule of the state association. Some reports claimed he was fired from the school district.
The investigation was triggered by a statement from a student at another school who claimed that Crowell contacted him before he entered ninth grade and that Crowell drove him to summer practice sessions and competitions. Additionally, investigators claimed that Crowell previously had two Belleville senior players living with him in his home, a major violation of state high school athletic rules.
Crowell had been coaching at Belleville for eight years and led the team to the state playoffs every year, a record which prompted questions from other high school coaches regarding his ability to amass teams of superior players at the school of choice high school.
School officials said they would be accepting applications as they looked for a new coach for the state championship team.
