K.J. Hill, the star receiver for North Little Rock High School who’d initially said he planned to play football for the Razorbacks, announced today that he’d be going to Ohio State, Fox 16 reports.
No mention in the early coverage of his high school coach, Brad Bolding, whose status in the school district is cloudy. School officials have stonewalled all media questions about the football situation, describing it a “personnel matter.”
UPDATE: I’ve heard from Little Rock lawyer David Couch, who represents Bolding. He says the school district gave the coach notice Friday of its intent to terminate him under the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act. Couch said the process includes an opportunity for a public hearing in 30 days after termination. He said Bolding would request a hearing and contest the firing. Bolding remains on the district payroll, but has been suspended from duties. Couch said he was confident at the end of the proceeding that Bolding would remain coach. He has promised some more detail later today, but said the disagreement arises from football equipment purchases made by a private foundation that were given to the school. Rumors have ranged much farther afield and Couch said he hoped to put those to rest. Comments Bolding made on Facebook also were mentioned. We reported these earlier. After being defeated in playoffs, Bolding talked about bigger staffs at other schools and the fact that he has to teach as well as coach. Couch will argue First Amendment protection on the Facebook post.