It’s a great time to be a rough and tough football coach who uses fear, intimidation and, apparently, nudity to motivate teenage boys!
Last week, Jefferson County DA Jason Hicks dropped various criminal abuse charges against former Ringling head football coach Phillip Koons – the embattled coach who’s been criticized, chastised, and canned from various coaching jobs over the years for mistreating his players and students.
According to the DA, the criminal charges were dropped “in the furtherance of justice after review of civil disposition,” which is basically just a vague, fancy, lawyerly way of saying that, for whatever reason, they don’t think pursuing criminal charges will result in a conviction.
Yeah, I guess that's not a surprise.
Back when I covered this case in 2023, I actually predicted the criminal charges would eventually be dropped.
Granted, I did this not because I questioned the accusers or evidence — I tend to believe them — but simply because the conservative white Oklahoma evangelical ruling class is more prone to look at abuse, bullying, and mistreatment as tough-guy character-building exercises rather than criminal acts.
You know, conservative white Christian men like DA Jason Hicks.
Although he hasn’t been absolved of allegations, pleaded “no contest” to prior charges, and still has a $13-million civil lawsuit hanging over his head, that didn’t stop Coach Koons’ attorney from spiking the ball and running a full victory lap in front of the local media.
According to him, the allegations were nothing more than an elaborate shakedown by a disgruntled teen intent on bringing down a man of integrity.
Via The Oklahoman:
Legal counsel for an ex-Ringling football coach accused of abusing student athletes struck a victorious tone after the criminal case against the coach was recently dismissed, arguing he had been vindicated from “a false and meritless allegation.”...
Shelby Shelton — a private attorney and close friend of Koons — repeatedly emphasized what he described as Koons’ “integrity, Christian values, and unwavering commitment to his community” during a press conference at his law office Tuesday, Sept. 2. He argued that the criminal charge arose from false allegations made in retaliation by a student who’d been disciplined by the school administration after making a violent threat…
“This case has always been about accountability — unfortunately, we’re trying to hold the wrong person accountable,” Shelton told reporters. “What started this case was a young person who made a threat toward (school) administration, and after that, they have been trying to ruin a man’s career.”
Yep. That’s right. Case closed. Nothing else to see here.
Who cares that there have been numerous accusations about Koons’ behavior over the years, that the civil lawsuit is on the books, and that where there’s a can of jock itch spray you’ll usually find a rash — these were false and meritless allegations, and Koons is now in the clear.
Also, all the people who spoke to the media, law enforcement, and even the Ringling School Board about the actions of this great man were liars.
Via KFOR:
We asked Attorney Shelton about similar allegations against Koons during his time coaching at Tuttle and Clinton, which court documents detail Ringling Public Schools knowing about.
News 4 was told, “Well, to be frank, to that too, it didn’t happen. Not in Clinton. It didn’t happen in Tuttle. This is the first time there’s been a lawsuit and he’s been suspended.”
At a 2023 School Board Meeting for Ringling Public Schools, one mother voiced her concerns over claims her son made:
“This man’s abusive power reeks of psychological torture on these students. For two years, my son has begged us to stay quiet for fear of retaliation, especially after having to do the naked up-downs,” the woman said.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
