CLOVER, SC (WBTV) -
The head coach of Clover High School's football team has resigned after a bad football season and an embarrassing hazing incident last year.
Coach John Devine, who has led the Clover High School football program since July 2011, announced his resignation on Tuesday from both his teaching and coaching position at the school.
According to school officials, Devine talked to his team and coaching staff on Tuesday afternoon about his decision.
"This is not the course of action we envisioned a year ago nor were the results [what] we all had hoped for those months ago," Devine said.
"I would like to thank the administration, faculty, and staff at Clover High for all their cooperation and support. Most of all I would like to thank the players, my fellow coaches and their families for all the hard work and sacrifices over this past year and a half. I wish all associated with Blue Eagle football all the success it deserves."
Last season the Blue Eagles had a 2-9 losing record and an early 0-3 start this season.
The resignation comes nearly one year, to the day, that allegations of hazing broke out from the football team.
The alleged incident happened on September 19, 2011 in Clover High School's locker room between the end of school and the start of practice.
Shortly after the allegations surfaced, ten high school football players were suspended from school for a week and permanently removed from the football team.
Two lawsuits were filed earlier this year by South Carolina attorney Richard Breibart, claiming that school officials and the school district attempted to cover up the alleged hazing by "coaching" the attackers and other students to downplay or deny the incident.
Clover School District Superintendent Marc Sosne announced in November that there would be no disciplinary action against the coaches, because the incident happened before practice when the coaches were not in the locker room.
On Tuesday, Clover High principal Mark Hopkins said he appreciated the efforts of coach Devine.
"His resume speaks for itself; unfortunately, things did not turn out as we all envisioned, and we respect his decision," Hopkins said. "We wish him and his family only the best in the future."
Former York High School head coach John Barrett will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of this football season. He previously served as Devine's assistant.
"We encourage the Blue Eagle Nation to continue its unmatched support of our players and coaches through the remainder of the season," Hopkins said. "At the appropriate time, we will begin our search for the best coach we can find to lead the Blue Eagle program."
