INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Hundreds of Center Grove residents are rallying around head football coach Eric Moore, who is now being investigated for allegations of misconduct.
Center Grove Schools has hired an outside investigator to probe accusations that Moore has abused his power by using abusive language toward players. Several parents and school staff interviewed by the school district’s investigator spoke to 13 Investigates on the condition on anonymity. They say Moore engaged in bullying, harassment and intimidation that is now at the center of the investigation.
But Thursday morning, about two dozen of the coach’s friends and supporters met with WTHR at a south side park to defend Moore and his behavior toward others.
"We love him. In Center Grove, our school system is our community and he's dedicated his life to it," said Aaron Hohlt, holding back tears. "We're here to support. We're here to share our stories. We're not here to pick a fight, but we will fight for our coach, and he can't talk so we're going to be his voice."
Hohlt serves as president of the Center Grove Gridiron Club and has several sons who played football for Moore. He told WTHR the coach helped shape his boys into responsible men.
"It’s been a privilege to have him coach my boys. State championships are great, but what he’s taught them has been much better. The toughness that this guy brings to these kids is priceless."
Tracy Watson, whose two sons play football at Center Grove High School, also praised Moore.
"He’s been an amazing coach for my sons," Watson said. "I’ve just seen a man who loves these kids and loves this program."
And former players who came to speak with Eyewitness News said they did not observe Moore engage in inappropriate behavior.
"I played for him for four years and never once did he harass any of us," said Jared Williams, who graduated from Center Grove in 2012. "I probably wouldn't have even graduated high school if it weren't for him."
"The community knows him and the person he is and none of this makes any sense," said Matt Adams, a former Center Grove football player who graduated in 2009 and who now coaches the school’s freshman football team. "Not only did he want me to succeed as a player but also as a person. He is our community, and we love and support him so much."
The coach's supporters say they were blindsided by news of the investigation, which the school district launched more than two months ago.
"I've been right next to him and watched him coach, and I've never seen anything like the accusations," said Scott Hines, who helps operate Center Grove's youth football league. "I love the man and don't want to see his reputation trashed. I have no doubts the allegations are not true."
Supporters have ordered 1500 #supportcoachmoore yard signs that will soon appear on lawns throughout the Center Grove community.
Online debate
Moore also received support on social media, where many Center Grove residents took to Facebook and Twitter to express their appreciation for the coach. Among the hundreds of comments on Facebook:
"I work with and for Coach Moore and I am nothing PROUD to say that. Bully? You got to be kidding me! I guarantee that Coach Moore makes Center Grove High School a better place."
"Coach Moore helped shape my son as well as a lot of other kids in a very positive way."
"Would not be where I am today without this man."
A newly created "Support Coach Eric Moore" Facebook page now boasts nearly 1200 followers.
But just hours after WTHR broke news of the school district investigation, some Center Grove parents commented on social media that their children had also experienced harassment by the coach. Their comments include:
"He has been doing this for years."
"Only his favorites got treated like actual humans. The rest he talked to and about like trash."
"Finally something is being done…No grown man should speak to, or of, young teenagers in the way he has."
Other Center Grove families told 13 Investigates they had negative experiences with Coach Moore, but will not discuss their concerns in any public forum because they fear for their safety. One Center Grove parent says he received a death threat Thursday morning because others believe he has spoken with the attorney hired by Center Grove to investigative allegations against Moore.
Impacting lives
More than a dozen Center Grove students — current and former — took time to write lengthy letters and e-mails to WTHR to share their personal experiences with Coach Moore. They discussed the coach working with special needs children, encouraging his players to help families impacted by severe flooding in Johnson County, and attending their special events to show his support.
"Coach Moore supported me in my show choir by coming to my shows with his family and always had something kind and respectful to say to me," said former CGHS student Breann Boswell. "I stand with him, his coaching style, his family, and who he is as a person. I've been out of the high school four years now and he makes an effort to always ask how I am doing."
"Coach Moore pushes his athletes both mentally and physically in order for them to achieve their full potential. He is tough - but he's fair. He will yell and challenge you. He may even hurt your feelings. At the end of the day, he wants you to be the best that you can possibly be, and will do whatever it takes to motivate you and push you to be your best. He wants as many people to be on his teams as possible - because he loves to push and coach players into becoming better people and men," wrote Conner Stapleton, a member of Moore’s football and track teams before he graduated in 2013.
"Last year (2016 season), during the playoffs none the less, a large group of the senior football players had a major loss. One of our church youth group leaders had suddenly passed away. As we all sat in shock and sadness after learning of what had occurred, my mom gave Coach Moore a call and he was there right away to offer comfort to me and the rest of the people in our small group, even those who were not football players," explained Philip Hopson, who was a student manager for the Center Grove football team. "Many things that Coach Moore has taught me, from 4th grade to 12th, has had a major impact in my life and made me a better person."
And Joel Cox, a former Center Grove football player who graduated in 2010, told WTHR that Moore's encouragement still sticks with him today. "One thing Coach Moore used to say before every game, he said 'I love you and I'm proud to be your coach,' and then we'd go through the tunnel. He said it every game. And it's our time now to say we love you, coach. This is your community and we stand behind you."