Coventry Township head football coach Michael Zografos abruptly resigned Thursday after he was charged in Barberton Municipal Court with a misdemeanor involving obscene or harmful material.
Zografos, who was hired in January last year to lead the Comets varsity team, pleaded not guilty to the single charge and is scheduled for a pretrial appearance in the courtroom of Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger on May 12.
According to court records, Zografos’ violation involves recklessly disseminating “material that is obscene or harmful to juveniles” on Oct. 30.
Further details on the incident were not immediately available, and Zografos’ attorney did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Coventry Local Schools Superintendent Lisa Blough said Zografos, who also works as an intervention specialist for the district, was placed on administrative leave March 26.
“There are many layers involved in this situation,” she said. “We have had another individual resign due to their involvement.”
Blough said that individual's involvement did not include criminal conduct. She said she would be unable to give further details on the case until it is resolved in court.
“The district is cooperating fully with local authorities regarding the allegations and concerns,” Blough said.
Zografos was hired last year after the resignation of former coach Ed Egan, who left the position to concentrate on other interests.
Zografos led the Comets to a 4-5 record in a season with a delayed start due to COVID-19 restrictions. At one time, a football season was in doubt. The Comets went 4-6 in 2019.
The team made headlines when two female students, both Coventry soccer players, shared kicking duties for the team.
More:Coventry girls get kick out of playing on high school football team
When he was hired, Coventry Athletic Director Danny Savage cited Zografos’ commitment to developing student-athletes with a “consistent disciplinary approach.”
Savage did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.
Blough said the the district’s disciplinary path with Zografos will be affected, in part, by the timing of the court case.
“All I can say is we are working with our legal counsel to outline all potential pathways … to make sure it is handled as quickly and appropriately as possible for our students, our staff, and our community,” she said.
Zagrafos could not immediately be reached for comment.
Blough said that students and parents should be confident the district is doing all it can to resolve the situation.
“These allegations and this type of misconduct are taken very seriously,” she said. “And as a result, the district will follow through accordingly.”
Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-224-7682 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.
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