Illinois high school football coach suspended amid hazing allegations

An Illinois high school football coach was suspended one game following an investigation into an alleged hazing incident.

Rochester High School head football coach Derek Leonard received the one-game suspension for last week’s regular-season finale after allegations of hazing and bullying within his football program.

Leonard has led the Rockets to nine state championships since 2010 and won his 200th career game in Week 3 over Lincoln. He is 204-38 in his 20-year career as Rochester coach.

Assistant coach Derrick Nelson led Rochester on Friday against Sacred Heart-Griffin at Rocket Booster Stadium.

A recent story from the Springfield State Journal-Register detailed the suspension of Rochester’s head football coach. Below is an excerpt from the Springfield State Journal-Register.

Leonard was emotional as he addressed the crowd that was, at times, angry at the board members.

“This is a great place, man, and I told them, I said, ‘These guys love me and they love this program,’ and I said, ‘That’s why they’re (mad),’” Leonard said. “I get the anger to a point, but we also, we got to settle down. These kids can play tomorrow.

“I promise you, I give you my word, OK, that they’ll be able to play, and we’ll be, everything will be good. I promise you, we’ll come out of this on the other end.”

After a lengthy closed session on Thursday night, the Rochester school board voted 4-1 to accept recommendations after an investigation from Edwardsville attorney Tueth Keeney, which included the one-game suspension for Leonard.