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| Jermain Crowell |
The ruling, handed down last week by officials from the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), followed an investigation of charges that Crowell violated the undue influence rule, approaching potential players inappropriately in attempts to recruit them for the Belleville team.
Crowell, who has coached the Tigers for eight seasons, was immediately suspended by school officials when the ruling was revealed in a letter of inquiry from MHSAA last month. He was prohibited from coaching the state championship Belleville team during the ongoing playoffs. The team is being coached by interim head coach DeJuan Rogers, according to school officials.
Belleville won the Division 1 State Championship game against Caledonia 35-17 Saturday at Ford Field.
Crowell will not be returning to Belleville High School when the suspension is lifted, according to school Athletic Director Joe Brodie who told local media outlets that “the consensus is he can't coach for us. We have to find a new coach.” He said the search for a new coach would begin following the championship tournament.
Officials from MHSAA placed the Belleville program on probation following recruitment violations of a former assistant coach, explained association Director Mark Uyl. He said the school will remain on probation through the 2024-25 academic year.
Uyl told reporters the school had been informed that any subsequent violations of undue influence ruling will result in the school losing eligibility for championship competition.
The investigation was triggered when a student at another school told reporters that Crowell had contacted him and personally transported him to summer practice sessions and seven-on-seven competitions. Officials from MHSAA were also made aware of a TV show which included information that two players for Belleville were living with Crowell.
Uyl said the association staff spent more than a month investigating the allegations and discovered multiple cases of violation of recruitment rules.
Belleville is a school of choice district and reportedly, high school coaches from other districts had complained about Crowell's tactics previously, suggesting the improbability that one school could attract the roster of high quality players attending Belleville.
Crowell also serves as the Belleville High School student safety liaison but no decision on that position was available at press time.
