CINCINNATI -- Withrow High School head football coach Ryan Drake has been dismissed from his position for insubordination, according to Cincinnati Public Schools Athletics Manager Josh Hardin.
Withrow defensive coordinator Zack Davis has been named the Tigers’ interim head coach. Withrow (0-1) hosts Mason (1-0) in the continuation of the 19th annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at 7 p.m. Friday.
Prior to Withrow’s 36-30 loss to Dayton Dunbar Aug. 27, Drake was told not to play two Withrow players because of a question regarding the student-athletes' eligibility.
Drake allowed the players to participate in the game, according to Hardin.
“He unfortunately made a tough decision that should not have been made,” Hardin said. “He was told multiple times not to play the players.”
Hardin said the school cleared up any eligibility questions. The school district self-reported to the Ohio High School Athletic Association and won’t receive sanctions, Hardin said.
“Withrow AD Brandon Franke did his due diligence in following up with the OHSAA and doing everything he was supposed to,” Hardin said. “This was an unfortunate situation of a coach being insubordinate to administration.”
Drake will continue to be a teacher at Withrow. He was named the Withrow coach in January 2014 after previous jobs at Walnut Hills and Withrow as an assistant coach.
Withrow went 4-17 during Drake's tenure.
Phone and text messages left with Drake weren’t immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.
