You are correct about the grades part. The Mr. Football winner he dismissed from last year's team is a prime example. I know his family well and they said they knew their son was not passing and somehow Rankin kept him eligible. When the kid tried to transfer, the parents were informed by Rankin that he would never play HS football again in TN. Thankfully he got a scholarship to keep playing at the next level, but I doubt Rankin did him any favors.