A California college football coach has been placed on administrative leave for arranging improper housing conditions for athletes.
Carlos Woods, a coach at Pierce College, allegedly collected $300 to $400 in monthly rent from players he recruited from out of state. The players would eventually be evicted from the overcrowded apartment where they were living.
The Los Angeles Daily News reports that Woods even allowed some players to live in the team locker room.
Pierce College president Alexis Montevirgen said in a statement that the school has a “proud tradition of providing intercollegiate competitive sports opportunities for our students in accordance with the established policies and procedures.”
“The health and safety of our students is a primary concern of the College, our Chancellor and the Board of Trustees,” Montevirgen continued. “Any allegations concerning employee misconduct or issues involving student safety are taken very seriously and will be thoroughly reviewed.”
Woods is accused of letting at least four players spend a semester living in the team’s locker room after they were evicted. At one time, nearly 30 players from out of state lived in the three-bedroom apartment.
“Coach Woods told me that I was valid to move to L.A. from Orlando, Florida, and that my housing would be set up with other players coming in and returning athletes, said Jose Cordova, one of Woods’ former players who no longer attends Pierce College. “Woods told me that it would be four to five players in a three-bedroom, and we would all split the bills and each pay $350 for rent ‘everything included.”
Woods is now on leave pending an investigation.
