Ribault head football coach removed, athletic director reassigned to different school

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax found out that the athletic director at Jacksonville's Ribault High School has been reassigned.

This comes just days after we told you the head varsity football coach was also removed amid an internal investigation.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole contacted the school district to get the answers both students and parents are seeking.

One parent Cole spoke with said this is an unfortunate loss for the kids.

"This is one of the biggest things they do: football," Valerie Wyatt said.

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Wyatt is talking about the football program at Ribault Senior High School.

Just two weeks before their regular season starts coach Kelvin Smith, or coach Smitty, as he Is affectionately known on the football field, has been removed from his position as the head varsity football coach.

"If he's been the coach for a while, that would be heartbreaking for them," Wyatt said.

And he has been.

Coach Smitty, an alumnus of Ribault High School was going into his fourth season with the Trojans.

Last season, the team almost was not allowed to play because it owed thousands of dollars for sports equipment.

On Monday, Action News Jax reached out to learn the circumstances that led up to the investigation.

A spokesperson for Duval County Public Schools said the district won't be able to answer any questions while its investigation into Smith remains active.

Cole caught up with the superintendent of schools, Dr. Diana Greene, to ask her what's going on at Ribault and this is what she had to say:

"It's just important to note to the community that we are making sure that we are very diligent and that employees deserve  due process and we're making sure all those procedures are being followed."

Cole also learned the athletic director, Pakethia M. McDaniel, has been reassigned to a teaching position at Northwestern Middle School.

As we learn more, we will continue to update this story.

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