Hayfield (Va.) Secondary School has officially withdrawn from the football postseason amid a recruiting scandal that prompted the school's athletic director to resign.
According to the Fairfax Times, Hayfield athletic director Monty Fritts resigned after secret text messages from January 2024 were disclosed. The messages reportedly revealed recruiting improprieties.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Michelle Reid announced the decision to withdraw from the playoffs in a statement late Monday to parents, citing "new and troubling text messages" as evidence that raised serious concerns about the program’s compliance with Virginia High School League (VHSL) regulations.
School board member Mateo Dunne, an attorney who led an effort to get an independent, external investigation of the scandal, said, “Today, the Superintendent made the correct decision to withdraw Hayfield HS from the Region 6C playoffs, but this decision should have been made months ago. I welcome the Superintendent's decision to launch an external review of student transfers, but a limited review is insufficient to restore the integrity of our athletic programs and to rebuild public trust in FCPS leadership. It is time for a comprehensive and independent investigation of the Hayfield football scandal and how FCPS has handled this scandal from its inception. It is also time to protect our employees' freedom of speech and to safeguard our whistleblowers from actual or apparent retaliation. Our student-athletes, our families and caregivers, and our community deserve nothing less.”
In the text messages, Fritts texts another person, saying that his principal really wants to hire Darryl Overton as head football coach. The other person responds that Overton will help "get kids from other schools to play with ya."
The person also states, “I’m not sure he will be able to get away with transfers at FCPS.”
When informed that Overton’s methods might not withstand scrutiny within FCPS regulations, Fritts dismissively suggests exploiting a loophole, saying, “There would need to be some change, but if they are homeless, nothing can happen.”
The person replies, “True, just better to be homeless.”
Fritts follows up with three laughing emojis.
In another message, Fritts fuels speculation about an influx of talent, saying, “Rumor is we getting about 10 new starters.”
In her statement, Reid told parents, "This evening, the principal of Hayfield Secondary School announced the difficult decision to withdraw the football team from further postseason play. I have asked Tom Horn, Executive Director, Activities and Student Athletics, to work with VHSL to take any and all appropriate next steps.
“Last week, several new and troubling text messages were brought to light and are now part of the ongoing review regarding Hayfield Secondary School recruiting concerns. FCPS can only act on the information that it has, and these messages brought new concerns to the initial investigation.”
Reid reassured families of the district's commitment to preventing similar situations in the future, stating, "The work ahead is critical. We will focus on our students and will ensure a process that never puts us in this situation again."
