Archbishop Hoban has been notified by the Ohio High School Athletic Association that its football coach, Tim Tyrrell, will be suspended if the Knights qualify for the state playoffs in 2016.
Tyrrell guided Hoban to a Division III state championship in 2015, but he might not be on the sidelines this postseason.
Hoban President Todd R. Sweda emailed a six-paragraph letter to parents, students, staff and alumni on Thursday informing the Knights faithful “that head football coach Tim Tyrrell was found in violation of a recruiting regulation.”
“We firmly believe that there was no intent to knowingly violate any rule,” Sweda wrote in the letter. “The contact occurred at a local grade school in an open, public place during a visit that was authorized by the grade school administration. Upon review shortly after the meeting, the administration and coach Tyrrell recognized how it could be interpreted as a violation and immediately accepted responsibility for the mistake.”
Tyrrell declined to discuss the situation on Thursday when reached by telephone.
Sweda’s letter went on to say Hoban has “cooperated in every way, answering any and all questions and participating in all OHSAA-requested phone conversations and meetings.”
“We are shocked and extremely disappointed at the OHSAA decisions which could be made public at any time,” Sweda wrote. “Specifically, of most concern is a ruling suspending coach Tyrrell from coaching our team during potential playoff competition.”
According to the letter, the school considers the ruling to be “excessive and inconsistent with other such violations.” Sweda said Hoban intends to “immediately pursue appropriate appeal procedures.”
It was unclear what, if any, other penalties would be imposed.
When asked about the matter on Thursday, OHSAA Director of Communications Tim Stried said in an email to “look for a release coming Sunday or Monday.”
Michael Beaven can be reached at 330-996-3829 or mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the #ABJVarsity high school blog at www.ohio.com/preps. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.