Lawsuit: Rockwall-Heath coaches were warned about using physical exercise as punishment
ROCKWALL, Texas - A parent of a Rockwall-Heath high school student is suing her son's former football coach, John Harrell, and a dozen assistant coaches. The suit claims her son was hospitalized with injuries stemming from grueling workouts as a form of punishment.
Specifically, the lawsuit says the players had to do nearly 400 push-ups in an hour with no rest or water break.
"Coach Harrell wrote the program that said any little infraction for all sorts of different reasons would result in these push-ups," said Mike Sawicki, the attorney representing the mother who filed the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, following the training session, at least 26 players were diagnosed or had symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein into the blood.
"A condition that results from over-exercise or over-work or over-stress of the body," said Sawicki. "Untreated it can cause kidney failure, it can cause more significant damage to the muscles."
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The woman filing the latest lawsuit claims her son spent seven days in a hospital.
"The problem here is that this is a real, potential harm. This is not, I stubbed my toe or this is not I’m a little winded after running some sprints. This is a potentially long-term, life-affecting injury, and it’s not something you’re just going to tough out," explained Sawicki.
Following the allegations in January 2023, Rockwall ISD placed coach Harrell on administrative leave. The coach resigned two months later. No formal criminal charges were ever filed.
Sawicki says he previously settled two lawsuits against Coach Harrell from other parents whose children did the workout. The latest lawsuit is the first time the dozen assistant coaches are also being sued.
Sawicki says that is because he learned the assistants apparently had an active role. The attorney doesn't believe the coaches understood the gravity of what students were being asked to do.
"I think it’s a function of not asking the right questions or ignoring the data that was already out there," said Sawicki.
According to the lawsuit, Rockwall ISD's athletic director warned coaches to not use physical exercise as a form of punishment and that it "can lead to major legal issues and consequences."
The lawfirm hired to investigate the allegations, and it found the student's injuries were caused by the inappropriate workouts.
"The intent allegedly behind all of this was to impart discipline onto the students," said Sawicki.
The lawsuit alleges there are more than 26 identified victims out there, but some are too afraid to come forward.