Introduction to the Problem
Dustin Sharp says he used to love football. But the Denton Braswell senior quit the team because of what he describes as a “manipulative and demoralizing” environment created by head football coach and athletic director Kent Laster. In late September, Nikki Sharp, Dustin’s mother, said she saw him crying in the bathroom after not wanting to attend a Braswell morning football practice. Dustin was upset about the environment that he believed Laster had created at the school since becoming the head football coach in 2023.
The Allegations Against Coach Laster
Dustin, 17, said that Laster had put his hands on students in an inappropriate manner, such as pushing them on multiple occasions. He also stated that Laster was mentally abusive and would pick on certain student-athletes. “Mom, I don’t want to play football anymore,” Nikki said Dustin told her in late September. “But, I’m afraid that if I don’t play football anymore, then what do I have?” High School Sports are supposed to be a positive experience for students, but for Dustin and possibly others, it has become a source of stress and anxiety due to Coach Laster’s behavior.
The Impact on Dustin and Other Students
Dustin suffered a concussion in October, which ended his season and even caused him to miss days of school. The defensive linemen said he stood on the sidelines during football season, but decided he wanted to step away from the team after the season. He informed Dr. Jamie Wilson, who had served as Superintendent of Schools for the Denton ISD since 2012 and retired after the last school year, and the administration at Braswell about Laster’s actions. But he said his complaints seemed to go nowhere. This lack of action from the school administration led Dustin to take matters into his own hands.
The Online Petition
So, he started an online petition calling for Laster’s dismissal. Sharp alleges in the petition that Laster’s approach harms players’ mental health and hurts the overall morale and harmony of the team. By Friday, the petition had 476 signatures, with 62% of the signees in North Texas. Multiple people commented on the petition about their experiences with Laster, citing verbal and emotional abuse. Laster did not return a request for comment from The Dallas Morning News. The support for Dustin’s petition shows that he is not alone in his experiences and that there are others who have been affected by Coach Laster’s behavior.
Speaking Out Against Coach Laster
Sharp addressed Denton ISD trustees during public comment at a board meeting on Tuesday. “My goal was definitely to get the message into the board’s mind,” Dustin said in a phone call with the Dallas Morning News. “A lot of people on social media are taking this as me being mad at a depth chart spot or something like that, but my goal is honestly to bring light to these upcoming athletes that have no clue what they’re in for. They’re gonna be in for a world of pain.” Dustin’s courage in speaking out against Coach Laster is admirable, and his desire to protect other athletes from going through the same experiences is commendable.
Previous Complaints Against Coach Laster
The Denton Record-Chronicle reported it obtained three Level 1 grievances filed against Laster with the Denton school district before June 21. Level 1 is the lowest level in the grievance structure outlined by the Texas Education Agency. All three grievances allege Laster used abusive tactics when correcting and interacting with players. The reported incidents date to May 2023. “Coach Laster continued to blame me for the team’s subsequent loss and failed to offer any apology or acknowledgement of his error,” Sharp wrote in his grievance, according to the Record-Chronicle. “Instead, his language toward me was demeaning and unacceptable for a coach to direct at young athletes. The constant blame and lack of accountability fostered a toxic environment, making it difficult for players to feel safe or supported.” Two other grievances, filed by Colton Michaud and Jacob Villarreal, also criticized Laster’s coaching style.
The Environment Created by Coach Laster
“The environment he has created is not one that fosters growth or encouragement. Instead, it is manipulative and demoralizing,” Sharp’s petition says. “These young athletes, who should be learning the value of teamwork, perseverance, and respect, are instead experiencing undue stress and loss of confidence.” This toxic environment is not only harmful to the athletes but also undermines the values that sports are supposed to instill in young people. Dustin said he’s talking to other students about filing a grievance, but they are scared of punishment from Laster. This fear of retaliation is a significant obstacle for students who want to speak out against Coach Laster’s behavior.
Conclusion
Despite everything, Dustin still holds onto his dream of playing football again, even if that can’t happen in high school. “I would love to play football again, but I’ve come to the realization that at the high school level, it’s 99% not going to happen because of everything with the district,” Dustin said. The situation with Coach Laster and the Denton Braswell football team is a complex issue that requires attention and action from the school administration and the community. It is essential to create a safe and supportive environment for all athletes, where they can thrive and develop their skills without fear of abuse or intimidation.
FAQs
Q: What are the allegations against Coach Laster?
A: The allegations against Coach Laster include physical and mental abuse, such as pushing students and using demeaning language.
Q: Why did Dustin Sharp quit the football team?
A: Dustin Sharp quit the football team because of the toxic environment created by Coach Laster, which he describes as “manipulative and demoralizing.”
Q: What did Dustin do after quitting the team?
A: After quitting the team, Dustin started an online petition calling for Coach Laster’s dismissal and spoke out against him at a school board meeting.
Q: How many people signed the petition?
A: By Friday, the petition had 476 signatures, with 62% of the signees in North Texas.
Q: What do the grievances filed against Coach Laster allege?
A: The grievances allege that Coach Laster used abusive tactics when correcting and interacting with players, including verbal and emotional abuse.
Q: What is the environment like for athletes on the Denton Braswell football team?
A: According to Dustin and other students, the environment is toxic, manipulative, and demoralizing, and does not foster growth or encouragement.
