A football coach at Guntersville High School in Alabama has resigned from his position after being charged with public intoxication at a nearby school’s football event.
Jerry Fulks was entering his first season as the defensive coordinator and associate head coach at Guntersville at the time of his arrest on Friday, August 14. He was also set to teach P.E. at Guntersville Middle School.
Fulks, 45, was at the Arab High School football jamboree with other Guntersville coaches in an effort to scout the team’s opening-night opponent, according to the Hartselle Enquirer. At the event, Fulks attempted to access the sideline, allegedly showing a badge to the police who confronted him and claiming he was a writer for the Birmingham News.
“While speaking with Mr. Fulks, officers suspected he was intoxicated and escorted him out of the stadium,” the Arab police department told the outlet. “Following a brief investigation, officers determined that Mr. Fulks was intoxicated.”
When Fulks was taken outside of the stadium and given a field sobriety test, he reportedly admitted to police that he was a Guntersville football coach and was worried that the story would make the news.
Fulks was arrested and booked into a Marshall County Jail at 11:59 p.m. that night, according to online records. He was released on bond the next morning at 8:05 a.m.
“Guntersville City Schools is aware of an issue involving a school employee,” Guntersville superintendent Brad Cooper said in a statement released immediately following the incident, according to the Hartselle Enquirer. “Because this is a personnel matter, we will not comment on specific details or any actions that may be pending. As always, we take all personnel matters seriously and will handle this situation appropriately and in accordance with district policies and applicable law.”
The Guntersville City Board then called a special meeting on Monday, August 17, at which Fulks resigned.
“The Guntersville City Board of Education accepted Mr. Fulks’ resignation during a special-called meeting this morning,” the school district said in a statement. “Effective today, Mr. Fulks is no longer employed by Guntersville City Schools. Because this is a personnel matter, the district will not comment further regarding the circumstances surrounding his resignation.”
Before taking the job at Guntersville, Fulks served as head football coach at Lauderdale County High School in Rogersville, Alabama from 2018 to 2020. In 2021, he joined Hartselle as an assistant coach.
Guntersville and Arab will square off on the football field on Friday, August 21.
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