LISTEN: Vulgar speech of suspended East St. Louis coach surfaces POSTED 7:17 PM, JANUARY 30, 2015, BY JOE MILLITZER, UPDATED AT 12:46PM, FEBRUARY 2, 2015
EAST ST. LOUIS (KTVI) – Basketball coach Tony Young has been placed on paid administrative leave from East St. Louis School District 189 pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
Students say the investigation is the result of a motivational speech the coach gave during a halftime. The speech reportedly recorded Young encouraging players to injure an opponent. Students we talked with feel the coach’s words were taken out of context.
Supposed audio of the coach’s speech has surfaced Friday on YouTube. A tipster tells FOX 2 that, “Just wanted to pass the word to the proper authorities so something can be done about talking to children this way, rather to motivate them or not.”
District officials say they cannot confirm the details of the investigation because it’s a personnel matter.
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