Chipley coach loses teacher’s license

Barring a possible appeal, Chipley head football coach and former Graceville coach Will Holley will likely be out of a teaching / coaching job for the next five years after having his teaching certificate revoked by the Florida Education Practices Commission on Thursday.

The commission found Holley, who was in his first year at Chipley last fall and was at Graceville in 2004-05, in violation of five counts of a complaint issued by Commissioner of Education Dr. Eric J. Smith.

According to the complaint, Holley, 31, was accused of sending “inappropriate text messages” to a female student at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Fla., in
or around January 2008. Holley was a teacher and coach at Vanguard at the time.

Department of Education attorney Miki Presley indicated that more than “100 text messages” occurred between Holley and the student, many that
were “inappropriate in their familiarity and lack of professionalism, frequency and content,” said the complaint.

Among the texts, according to the complaint, included, “Can I trust you?,” “Am I wasting my time,” “Do you have a boyfriend?” and “I think I love you.”

The complaint added the texts caused the student “unnecessary embarrassment, worry and anxiety.”

Holley’s attorney, Mary Aspros of Meyer & Brooks in Tallahassee, said Thursday’s decision by the commission was a surprise.

“I thought we did the best we could,” Aspros told the Dothan Eagle Friday. “I was extremely surprised and disappointed.”

Efforts to reach Washington County Superintendent Dr. Sandra Cook and Holley on Friday were unsuccessful.

Cook was one of two character witnesses at Holley’s informal hearing in Tallahassee Thursday. Chipley assistant principal Brian Riviere also spoke on Holley’s
behalf before the commission. Holley also spoke in front of the commission.

Presley presented the case for the Department of Education.

The commission is normally a five-person board, but two members excused themselves since they knew Holley. The remaining three members, after hearing
the presentation, were unanimous in issuing the administrative order of revoking Holley’s certificate.

The commission could have elected to suspend Holley’s teaching certificate, allowing him to teach again in five years. However in revoking the certificate,
Holley would be required to reapply like a new teacher and provide written notification he is not a threat to children.

If granted a certificate, Holley would be on probation for two years. He would also be required to pay a $1,000 fine, payable prior to reapplication for a certificate.

A final order will be issued in the next week to two weeks. After that, Holley will have 30 days to file an appeal with the Education Practices Commission and
with the 1st District Appeals Court in Tallahassee.

In the event of an appeal, Holley could ask for a “stay” in the discipline, allowing him to teach and coach until the appeals process is finished. However, the
department of education could challenge that if it feels warranted.

“We haven’t decided what our next step will be,” Aspros said Friday. “I have had a few correspondence with him (Holley), but we haven’t decided anything.”

Should the discipline stand, Holley would be unable to teach in the state of Florida for five years. He could reapply for a certificate in 2014.

Holley could seek to earn a teaching certificate in another state, said Aspros, but said his chances would be “impaired” by the commission’s ruling Thursday.
Most job applications require info on any discipline through the Education Practices Commission.

A graduate of Chipley and the University of Florida, Holley was in his fourth year as a head coach last fall. He guided Graceville to a 14-9 record in 2004 and
2005, directing the Tigers to the Class 1B state championship game in 2005.

He left Graceville to become an assistant coach at North Florida Christian School in Tallahassee under former Florida State quarterback great Casey Weldon.
While at NFC, the Eagles reached the Class 1A state championship game.

After one year, he became head coach at Vanguard. He led the Knights to an 2-8 record before returning to his alma mater last year. Holley was an 1994
graduate of Chipley, playing under legendary coach Willard Whitcomb.

Holley was trying to rebuild a struggling program. The Tigers went 0-10 last year, but lost five of the games by two touchdowns or less.