BALDWIN COUNTY, Ga. — In November, Baldwin high school and Jesse Hicks parted ways during Hicks's second stint as head coach of the Braves football team.
Thursday evening, Hicks was hired by East Laurens as the school's new head football coach.
Hicks brings in 27 years of coaching experience along with 133 wins and 14 playoff wins. Hicks replaces Bin Turner who’s been the Falcons head coach since 2018.
East Lauren’s finished 3-8 last year after a first-round playoff appearance.
Baldwin has yet to fill the head coaching vacancy.
Outrage:
The school district made the announcement. The district did not fire Hicks, instead, they only let him go as football coach. He would remain on as a teacher for the district.
"The school administration has decided to go in a different direction with the football program for the next school year," the district wrote. "We thank Coach Jesse Hicks for his year of service to Baldwin High School Athletic program and look forward to his continued tenure as a teacher with the Baldwin County School District."
However, Hicks firing as head coach led to outrage among some students, including a "disruptive demonstration" in the school's cafeteria.
"Yesterday afternoon, several students were involved in a disruptive demonstration in the cafeteria. During this time no students or staff were injured," the school said. "Baldwin County Sheriff's Deputies and School Resource Officers were on hand and moved students out of the cafeteria."
From the news release and phone calls with the Baldwin County School District, it is unclear what a "disruptive demonstration" means.