They Called Him a Legend, Now He's Indicted

 

When he retired in 2017, Red Bay Girls' basketball coach Donald Eugene Roberts was called a legend. The coach known as Donnie had taught for 45 years, but his career wasn't over. For the next six years, Roberts worked as a substitute teacher at the small Franklin County high school. Then things started to go wrong.

In November of last year, three female students under the age of 19 accused the former Lady Tigers coach of a sexual crime. One of the students later withdrew her accusation, but the now 74 year-old Roberts still faces two charges in relation to the incidents. He was arrested and bonded out last week.

Roberts taught at Tremont, Mississippi, before arriving at Red Bay in 1982 where he prevailed in 71% of his games over the years and won several state championships. Now officials at Red Bay High have refused to comment on the ex-coach's status. Roberts' daughter is reportedly an instructor at the school. 

In Alabama, even a consenting sex act between school personnel and a student under the age of 19 is a felony. Due to Roberts' connections in Franklin County, his case is being prosecuted by the Lawrence County District Attorney's office. We'll be following this still another case of local teacher-sex.

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