Haywood coach Jackson suspended

Haywood High head football coach Ernie Jackson has been suspended from his position as a coach and teacher while he's being investigated by the school system.

Jackson wasn't on the Tomcats' sidelines Friday night when they played Dyersburg and lost 39-18.

Haywood County schools superintendent Teresa Russell released a statement on the matter Saturday afternoon.

"Mr. Ernie Jackson has presently been suspended from Haywood County Schools pending an investigation of alleged unprofessional conduct. No determinations regarding the allegations have been made. No further statements from this office will be released until the conclusion of the investigation."

Jackson is in his second season as the head coach at Haywood after leading the Tomcats to the playoffs and a 6-5 record last year. He took over less than two months before the season began, and the postseason appearance was the program's first since 2009.

Associate superintendent and Haywood schools chief operations officer Art Garrett said there isn't an assistant coach officially acting as interim head as they're all working together in Jackson's absence.

Attempts to contact Jackson were unsuccessful.

The Tomcats are set to begin District 15-AA play next week when they travel to Liberty Tech.

Brandon Shields, 425-9751