Robertsdale head coach Justin Jones and 10 of his high school football players will be allowed to play on Friday night. They were all granted a temporary restraining order against the AHSAA, which previously announced an unexplained suspension.
This ongoing saga stems from an ongoing investigation into possible improper conduct.
Although Jones will be allowed to coach his high school football team on Friday, this battle is far from over. The AHSAA is likely going to fight back in future weeks.
Two Alabama high school football coaches and 10 players were suspended.
Robertsdale High School is located in the southernmost quadrant of Alabama, near Fairhope, Foley and Spanish Fort, across the bay from Mobile. It enrolls ~1,500 students in Grades 9-12.
The Bears started the 2026 high school football season at 1-3. They have not finished above .500 since the turn of the millenium.
To make matters even worse, the program is currently under investigation because the Alabama High School Athletic Association received an anonymous letter suggesting possible improper conduct tied to the football team. It stems from the alleged use of ineligible players. Further details are not yet available. We don’t know who or why.
The AHSAA first requested information from the school on September 8. Robertsdale principal William White responded the next day with “as much information as he had available and could contain.”
The AHSAA responded seven days later. It determined that White’s information was “not sufficient.” As a result, head coach Justin Jones, another assistant coach and 10 student-athletes “would not be allowed to participate in football.” They were suspended indefinitely.
Justin Jones and the Robertsdale players were granted an injunction.
Neither Justin Jones nor the impacted players were informed of the specific allegations that led to their suspension. They were not presented with an opportunity to respond before they were removed from football activities.
As a result, the head coach and his players decided to fight back.
The players were granted a temporary restraining order against the AHSAA on late Thursday night by Montgomery circuit judge Greg Griffin. Jones was granted a temporary restraining order on Friday morning. He will be allowed to coach in the Class 6A, Region 1 rivalry game against Fairhope on Friday night. All of his players will be allowed to play.
Jones filed the lawsuit against Alabama High School Athletic Association and executive director Heath Harmon, Baldwin County Schools superintendent Marty McRae and Robertsdale principal William White. The injunction was granted by Baldwin County circuit judge Ashley W. Siebert during an emergency hearing that gave each side one hour to argue.
Additional details regarding the AHSAA’s initial decision to suspend the 12 members of the Robertsdale High School football team remain under wraps. Nobody outside of the organization knows what happened. The allegations are not yet public.
If the AHSAA wants to continue this legal battle, it will have the chance to do so in coming weeks. This is far from over!