Georgia high school coach arrested, accused of hitting, choking players

“Our first and foremost priority is the safety and well-being of our children,” Greensboro police Chief Rodricus Monford said in a press release late Thursday. “We will work closely with law enforcement partners, including the GBI to ensure a thorough investigation, and we will take appropriate action to protect our students. Any form of abuse or misconduct against minors will not be tolerated in Greene County.”

Thursday night, the Greene school district spokesperson said Robinson was relieved of coaching duties and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the district’s internal review and the criminal investigation.

“The safety and well-being of our students remain our first and highest priority,” Superintendent Aaryn Schmuhl, Ph.D., said in a media release. “Upon receiving the allegation of misconduct, the administrative team at GCHS took immediate action to investigate and address the concerns in conjunction with district office staff. We will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement and appreciate their swift response to our request for their support.

“As this remains an active investigation, the Greene County School System will not be providing further comment at this time,” the superintendent said.

In January, the school district announced Robinson as the new head coach for Greene County, about 75 miles east of Atlanta and 30 miles from Athens.

“Coach Darius Robinson, a native of Lancaster, South Carolina, is an accomplished football coach with over a decade of experience building successful programs and developing student-athletes both on and off the field,” Greene schools said in a social media post at the time. “Known for his transformational leadership, strategic game-planning and emphasis on discipline, Coach Robinson has consistently elevated teams to achieve excellence.”

Robinson inherited a team that had three winning seasons under Terrance Banks, who now coaches at Central Gwinnett. Robinson’s Tigers were 2-9 this season, losing in the first round of the playoffs to Early County.

Robinson spent the previous two seasons on Valdosta’s staff as the running backs coach. He was head coach for three seasons (2020-22) at Jay M. Robinson in Concord, North Carolina, where his record was 25-7. He previously had been defensive coordinator at Central Cabarrus in North Carolina and Blythewood in his native South Carolina.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

When the investigation is complete, the case will be given to the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, the GBI said.

— AJC Varsity reporter Todd Holcomb contributed to this article.