Central Coach Greg Brewer Revisited

According to the latest reports, Central High School Coach Gregory Brewer's case was not dismissed. Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Jimmy Sandlin deferred Brewer's sentencing until the former coach/math teacher formally resigned and returned his teaching license to the State Board of Education.

This may sound good on the surface, but taxpayers are still providing Brewer with an income through June 10--all this while he's working another job. While it will be on Brewer's Alabama record that he forfeited his license because of nefarious activities, he may still apply to other states that perform less than thorough background checks.

What else could Judge Jimmy Sandlin have done? The maximum sentence for contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor is one year in jail and a $2,500.00 fine. Most accused of this type of crime do not receive a maximum sentence, but most are not teachers who have sexually kissed a twelve year-old student. If Judge Sandlin was not sickened and appalled by Brewer's behavior he should have been. It seems that Sandlin's campaign promises of saving local marriages have morphed into a soft on sex crimes approach.

On that note, for those who have asked about reporting local judges to Troy King in light of his new investigation into family courts: Yes, even if you and your family are no longer in the system, you need to report any suspicious or unethical behavior by any family judge with whom you've been involved.

For those who are mainly concerned about our tax dollars being used to support friends of various jurists, please continue to report this behavior to King's office, as well as filing complaints with the Alabama Ethics Commission. If we do not hold our elected officials accountable, we can never expect ethical government.


What's up with this: It seems more than physical characteristics run in some families; we've learned that a certain indicted rapist is not the first in his family to be arrested for a sex crime.

Coach Gregory Ryan Brewer Resigns

Central High School sits in the western end of Lauderdale County. The 4-A institution is rich in history and justly proud of its athletes, known as the Wild Cats. When Steve Mayfield took over as head coach in 2006, he had hopes of restoring Central's football team to its former glory. Yet after two years at the helm, Mayfield was fighting lymphoma and reflecting on a 1-19 record. On May 7, 2008, Coach Steve Mayfield officially resigned from his position stating that it was time for someone else to take the helm.

Few doubted that the someone would be Assistant Coach Gregory Ryan Brewer. Brewer (pictured at right) was 31 years old and had been employed at Central High School for nine years. A member of the Northwest Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Brewer taught 7th grade math as well as coaching both football and basketball. A one-time TimesDaily baseball coach of the year, Brewer was married to the former Andrea Jill Hagood, a counselor at Central. The Lauderdale County Board of Education appointed Brewer interim coach, a strong indication that the permanent position would go to the assistant coach when announced on the afternoon of May 27, 2008.

On the morning of May 27th, rumors began to circulate around the school. Greg Brewer was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 12 year-old female student. Instead of an offer to become Central High School's head football coach, Brewer received orders to take an administrative leave. In early June, the Board appointed Zachary Cooper to replace Brewer during his absence.

Both the school system and the state Department of Human Resorces investigated the accusations that Brewer engaged in text messaging with the pre-teen, as well as indulging in embraces and kisses. After an investigation of several weeks, the Board and DHR turned over their findings to the Lauderdale County District Attorney's office. Since the Lauderdale office employed a relative of Brewer, Chris Connolly immediately turned the case over to the Colbert County District Attorney to prosecute.

William Hovater represented Brewer in his appearance before family court judge Jimmy Sandlin. On Friday, March 20, 2009, Sandlin dropped the charges against Brewer on the condition that he resign from his position at Central High School. Brewer also still retains his teaching license. At this point, the citizens of Lauderdale County have paid the former coach his full salary while on an administrative leave totalling nine months and three weeks.

Now Gregory Ryan Brewer is free to take his teaching certificate and apply for work elsewhere within the State of Alabama. We will be watching.

What's up with this: Rumors are already circulating that Brewer also voluntarily gave up his teaching certificate. Wise man?