Southlake Carroll football coach Hal Wasson put on paid leave

Carroll ISD has placed its Southlake Carroll Head Football Coach Hal Wasson on paid administrative leave while the district investigates the football team's compliance with rules and regulations.

The district is leaving a lot up for speculation about its concerns. The district will not call it an investigation, only a review or an inquiry.

Carroll ISD says placing Wasson on paid administrative leave is standard operating procedure, but there is nothing standard about this kind of investigation.

Wasson has a strong record on the football field for Southlake Carroll, which is why many are confused.

Carroll ISD has only released a broad statement about the investigation, saying the culture of the football program is being reviewed along with its compliance with UIL rules.

Hal Wasson is highly revered as the Southlake Carroll football coach since 2007.

"Just know he's a tremendously successful coach. From all I can gather, a really good man,” said Southlake resident Matt Mahone. “I've been around him on a few occasions. Can't say I personally know him."

Wasson took over a successful program that already had seven titles and led the Dragons to number 8 in 2011 in the 5A Division 1 state championship. He's won 121 games in his time at the school. This past season, he led the team to the 6A Division 2 state quarterfinals.

Now, his job is put on hold as the district performs an administrative review of the football program.

"I would be very, very surprised for a guy who's been that successful and ran a program like he has, had the success he's had to find himself being on administrative leave,” Mahone said.

In a statement, the district was very vague about its concerns only saying, "We have an outstanding history of excellence in this program, but sometimes it is necessary for us to take a closer look at our operations and ensure that they are aligned with our core values."

The review is being done by the athletic director, athletic superintendents and HR. The district says it is still working with Wasson and his staff to identify any areas of concern. Wasson is the only employee suspended during this review.

FOX 4 obtained an email sent to Dragon football families in which the superintendent writes, “We plan to have a face to face meeting with junior varsity and varsity athletes during their athlete period Thursday...I would ask you out of respect for all involved to refrain from comment...You know how much we care about your kids and want to ensure the very best for them."

The superintendent said in that email that there will be a report of the findings that will be shared with UIL and the district. He also says he and the athletic director have been in contact with UIL to make them aware of this review.