Haywood gives TSSAA new punishment options for baseball coach Dusty Rhodes

MURFREESBORO — What is the proper punishment regarding Haywood baseball coach Dusty Rhodes, who caused a scene caught on video after he was ejected from a Class AA state tournament game where he kicked dirt on an umpire, bumped into him and had to be restrained by his team?

That is the ongoing issue between Haywood officials and the TSSAA as the West Tennessee school appeals a two-year baseball postseason ban and $4,500 fine.

Haywood County Schools Superintendent Joey Hassell emailed TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress three options for punishing Rhodes on Wednesday:

• Two-game suspension for TSSAA ejection plus a two-year postseason ban for Rhodes. He will not travel or practice with the team during postseason.
• Two-game suspension for TSSAA ejection, plus an additional eight-game suspension for Rhodes.
• Two-game suspension for TSSAA ejection, plus eight-game suspension and one-year postseason ban for Rhodes, who will not travel or practice with the team during postseason play.

Hassell wrote that with the acceptance of one of the proposed options, Haywood County Schools is asking for the two-year restrictive probation be removed from the baseball team as well as probation removed from Haywood's athletic programs.

That would also result in a reduction of fines.

Childress said he had not had time to look at Haywood's new proposal as it came during the regularly scheduled Board of Control meeting. He said he had forwarded the proposal to the West Tennessee board members who were in a special-called meeting on Tuesday.

In that meeting, Haywood principal Latonya Jackson said she was going to suspend Rhodes for the next two years of postseason play in an effort to get her baseball program off restrictive probation.

"Allow me to correct what I failed to do in the beginning," said Jackson during Tuesday's hearing. "I don't condone coach Rhodes' actions."

Milan principal Greg Scott, a Board of Control member, pointed out that the alternative punishment could be just two games for Rhodes if the Tomcats lose the first game of postseason the next two years. 

"It feels like this could be two games and a few practices," Scott said.

Rhodes, assistant coach ejected during state tournament

Rhodes and assistant coach Alex Whitwell were ejected during the sixth inning of the Tomcats' second game of the Class AA state tournament against Sequatchie County on May 22, which Haywood lost 6-4 to be eliminated.

A video of the ejections shows Rhodes kicking dirt on the umpire after he was ejected and Haywood players restraining Rhodes. A TSSAA officials' report stated that Whitwell was ejected for using profanity.

Scott said it was what Rhodes did after he was ejected that was alarming. He compared it to being pulled over for speeding.

"If I got out of my car and kicked dirt on a sheriff's deputy, I would expect more punishment," said Scott.

By TSSAA rule, both coaches are suspended for the first two games of the 2020 season and the school is fined $500. Originally, Haywood officials chose to impose no additional punishment. 

Last week, the TSSAA gave the baseball program a two-year postseason ban and the baseball program and athletic department a total of $4,500 in fines. 

Under its bylaws, the TSSAA cannot punish school employees. It can only punish the athletic programs.

Jackson told board members she initially was not aware she had the authority to impose additional punishment on the coach. 

A letter sent to Jackson from TSSAA Assistant Director Gene Menees on May 23 stated: "Based on the Official's report submitted to our office, TSSAA is requesting a written report to be submitted by (noon) on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 as to what further disciplinary action the Administration plans to initiate for unsportsmanlike conduct of your coaches."

Menees said he also spoke with Haywood athletic director Tim Seymour after the school said it didn't plan to punish its coaches beyond the two-game suspension and $500 fine, and asked if that was the extent of their punishment.

Menees did not offer suggestions for additional punishment, but said typically schools ask TSSAA administration if more discipline may be coming and if so, they ask for guidance or direction to what kind of additional punishment is needed. No addition or guidance was asked for, Menees said.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.