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Apalachee interim coach resigns as school district investigates reported racist remarks
Charles Kenyon resigned Wednesday while Barrow County schools investigated reports of racially derogatory comments at an Apalachee High football game. Parents described sharply different experiences with the coach as Alex Savakinas was named acting head coach for the rest of the season.
The interim head football coach at Apalachee High School resigned Wednesday as the Barrow County School District investigated reports that he made racially derogatory comments at a junior varsity game.
Charles Kenyon’s resignation was announced in an email from the school principal to football families and families whose students would have a new teacher. The email said the departure came while the district was investigating reports of inappropriate language.
Ray Michael Williams said his son, a senior who was volunteering at the Oct. 15 game, was in line at the concession stand when a recent graduate joked with Kenyon about burgers he was grilling. Kenyon allegedly replied, “This is for whites only,” Williams said.
Williams said the coach then told his son to play guard for the band. When the student asked what he meant, Kenyon allegedly referred to the teen’s skin color while mentioning color guard, according to Williams.
Three parents working at the stand heard the exchange, Williams said. One contacted him days later. Williams said he reported the matter to the superintendent’s office and athletic director, then spoke with the district’s human resources director, who apologized and began an investigation.
“It’s not acceptable,” Williams said, adding that he did not want the incident dismissed as a joke. The principal’s email said the school would take inappropriate or unprofessional conduct seriously even if it was intended or described as humor, and that students, staff and guests should be treated with dignity and respect.
Another parent, Tyler Cash, said the allegations did not match his experience of Kenyon. Cash, a Black father whose son plays on the team, said Kenyon paid for his son’s meals from his own pocket after a school-account problem left the student without lunch for a week.
Cash said he did not know what happened at the concession stand but described Kenyon as a caring person. Kenyon did not respond to a request for comment before the report was published.
The principal named Coach Alex Savakinas acting head coach for the remainder of the season, citing his leadership and guidance. Apalachee’s Wildcats were 1-6, and Kenyon was the program’s fourth head coach in less than four years.
Williams called the resignation a first step but said he remained concerned about Kenyon potentially working at another school. He also urged the district to be deliberate in choosing the program’s next coach.