John Ehret football coach Corey Lambert has been dismissed, less than three weeks before the start of the 2017 regular season.
Lambert, a graduate of the school, and a former Patriots quarterback, led John Ehret to the 2015 class 5A finals.
Thursday, Jefferson Parish public schools said in a statement that they were notified in February of an outside investigation into the athletic program at John Ehret high school.
“At that time, the District began its own investigation into the complaint,” said JP schools.
“After a very lengthy and thorough investigation, JPPSS determined that a personnel action was warranted. This action was taken today.”
CrescentCitySports.com reported that Lambert has been suspended without pay since March.
Late Thursday afternoon, WGNO sports spoke with LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine.
Bonine said a member school lodged a complaint against John Ehret high school stating that the school “had falsified information.”
Bonine said two athletes in question were transfer students who were to participate in track, basketball, and football. Bonine said that Ehret claimed that the students were homeless and thus eligible immediately under the McKinney-Vento act.
Bonine said LHSAA investigator Daryl Glueck found to the contrary.
“John Ehret claimed that these individuals were homeless. Through our investigator, we found out that this was simply not true,” said Bonine.
Bonine said Lambert was directed to take two online courses, one issued through the LHSAA, the other through the National Federation. Bonine said John Ehret high school was fined $1,000.
In another eligibility matter, Bonine said “the two parties” the LHSAA and John Curtis Christian school, will meet next week to discuss the on-going lawsuit filed by John Curtis against the LHSAA.
On August 31st of last year, the LHSAA denied a Curtis appeal in the case of former football star Willie Allen. Allen was ruled ineligible, and Curtis was stripped of the 2013 Division III state football championship.
In response, the school filed the lawsuit.