Robertsdale football coach, 10 players granted injunction to return to team

High School SportsRobertsdale High School football coach Justin Jones during the game against Daphne at J.D. Sellars Stadium on Friday, October 24,2025 (Jon Hauge |preps@al.com)Jon Hauge | preps@al.comRobertsdale head coach Justin Jones will be allowed to coach his football team tonight against Fairhope and 10 student athletes will be able to play.Baldwin County circuit judge Ashley W. Siebert granted a temporary restraining order against the AHSAA on Friday morning, allowing Jones to return to the sideline.That follows an order by Montgomery circuit judge Greg Griffin late Thursday, granting a TRO for the 10 student-athletes. Jones, an assistant coach and the athletes were suspended from football activities earlier this week after Robertsdale High School received a request from the Alabama High School Athletic Association to do so. The AHSAA has been investigating possible recruiting violations since August.The Baldwin County Board of Education, named in both cases, also must adhere to the TROs. A hearing in the players’ case is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday in Montgomery. A further hearing in Jones’ case has not been set yet.Jones’ suit states that he was given a letter Tuesday sent from AHSAA executive director Heath Harmon to Robertsdale principal William White, instructing White not to allow the two coaches and players to participate in football. White, in turn, suspended Jones and the others. The lawsuit claims the suspension came after the AHSAA received an anonymous letter alleging possible football-related violations, but neither Jones nor the affected players were told the specific allegations, interviewed or given an opportunity to respond before being removed from football activities.Attorney Tom Loper argued Friday morning in the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse that Jones could be irreparably harmed if he was not allowed to coach tonight. He said there would be a presumption that Jones is guilty of wrongdoing and that would be a “high hurdle to overcome.” Loper argued his client has not been given due process in the case and a chance to dispute allegations.Attorney Brad Hicks, representing the AHSAA, said due process was still ongoing but could not be completed until all the information the AHSAA was seeking in the case was provided by Jones. That information included Jones’ phone records for the past six months. Loper said Jones provided phone records for the last month but anything longer than that would require a subpoena. Baldwin County Board of Education attorney Nash Campbell said the school system has done its best to comply with the AHSAA, but “they just don’t care.” In addition to the coach’s phone records, Hicks said the AHSAA asked for phone numbers for 10 student-athletes in question and only one voluntarily complied.Campbell said Baldwin County has done its due diligence in the case but remains in limbo. He said the AHSAA is guilty of a “strong overreach at best.” Ironically, the Baldwin County Board of Education, superintendent Marty McRae and Robertsdale High principal William White also were named in the case along with the AHSAA and Harmon. None of the named parties were present in the court this morning.Hicks also argued for a venue change for the Jones’ case since AHSAA rules state that any lawsuit filed against the Association should be filed in Montgomery. The players’ TRO case was heard in Montgomery on Thursday without the AHSAA being notified, per Hicks. Along with Harmon and McRae, AHSAA investigator Chuck Anderson also was named in the case. Christine C. Hernandez was representing the players.The case alleges, among other claims, that the AHSAA and Anderson accused transfer students of eligibility violations, threatened students with loss of eligibility despite being previously cleared and denied the athletes due process. It also alleges that some student athletes have been treated differently than others. The suit claims the AHSAA acted beyond its authority and inconsistently with its rules. Robertsdale enters tonight’s game 1-3 overall, 1-0 in 6A, Region 1 play. Fairhope is 3-1, 1-0. The Pirates have won their last three games.This post will be updatedThis week in HS Sports: Headed toward a busy December in MobileRamsay scores game-winner in final seconds to down CaleraDouble-A No. 1 Briarwood dominates No. 4 Madison Academy to stay undefeatedThursday Roundup: Duke Beckham’s 3 TDs lift Theodore to rout of Elberta; Arab, James Clemens winRobertsdale High football coach suspended, seeks injunction to returnBen Thomas is responsible for prep coverage throughout the state of Alabama. He has been named one of the 50 Legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association and has won numerous awards, including the National...