CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. -- Charlotte High School's football coach has been put on leave after witnesses say he got in a fight at a game on October 27th.
According to a police report, witnesses say at the end of a game between Charlotte High School and Port Charlotte High School, Charlotte High school coach Justin Midgett jumped over another coach to punch the player in the chest. That player did not fall or report injuries.
Officers say they reviewed video of the incident. They say the video shows a fight between players of both teams and coaches from both teams working to separate them. In the video, Midgett does make contact with the player, but police say it was with an open hand and no malice or criminal intent. They also so it "appeared to be appropriate."
Officers also spoke to the student who was hit. He initially told police he was punched, but when officers asked him to clarify said he was shoved. He added that he thought Midgett may have shoved him because Midgett "was trying to break things up."
Midgett also claims he was hit during this incident. He tells police that while he was trying to break up the fight, someone punched him on the right cheek from behind. He says he did not sustain major injuries, but had swelling and bruising.
Charlotte High School says "Assistant Coach Justin Midgett is on and will be on Administrative Leave with pay until the investigations by the school district and the Florida High School Athletic Association are completed. At this point there is nothing but an accusation against him."
