MCC's Hooks suspended for FHSAA violation while school appeals
Melbourne Central Catholic issued a release Tuesday that head football coach Nate Hooks was determined by the FHSAA to have violated a policy against improperly contacting players.
According to the announcement from communications coordinator Tessie Wilkie, Hooks received a multi-game suspension, and the school has been fined. No specifics were given.
MCC has appealed the decision.
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The specific FHSAA policy listed is 37.1.1, which reads as follows:
"No school employee, athletic department staff member, representative of the school’s athletic interests or third parties, such as an independent person, business or organization, may make contact, either in person or through any form of written or electronic communication or through any third party, with a student, or any member of the student’s family, in an effort to pressure, urge or entice the student to attend a different school for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics."
Hooks is in his first season as Hustlers head coach and has guided the team to a 4-2 start one year after it went 2-8. He was head coach at Holy Trinity for eight years and was an assistant for Cocoa's Class 2S state championship team of 2022.
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MCC's release notes that Hooks can coach at weekday practices during the suspension, while staff assistants will handle in-game duties.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: FHSAA suspends MCC's Hooks, fines school for policy violation
