Spring Valley football coach accused of slapping student, will not be charged

A Spring Valley High School teacher and football coach accused of slapping a student in the face in class will not be charged criminally, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

According to a student cited in an incident report filed with deputies on Monday, football coach Jerry Brown, identified in the report as Clinton Leroy Brown, slapped a male student on the side of the face with an open palm as a demonstration during a lesson about obedience last Thursday.

The student, whose identity is redacted in the report, said he felt violated by 64-year-old Brown, who is 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds. The report said the student’s mother wanted to pursue assault charges. The student quoted Brown as saying “if you get out of line, I have to correct you.”

But after reviewing investigators’ information from Brown, the student, witnesses and Richland 2 officials, a magistrate judge determined there was no malicious and criminal intent to harm the student, according to Lt. Curtis Wilson of the sheriff’s department.

Brown did not confirm or deny that he was involved in the incident being investigated, but he did send an email to The State newspaper.

“I am shocked at the sudden developments, and I am unaware of any wrongdoing on my part of any kind,” Brown wrote. “I care deeply about my players, and they know I would always have their best interest at heart. I have enjoyed helping young players become good men, to be better husbands and fathers all my career, and desire to continue to work with young people.”

Richland 2 spokeswoman Libby Roof said the employee – she did not name Brown – has been placed on administrative leave while the district conducts its investigation. It was not immediately known whether the leave is paid or unpaid.

Brown led the Vikings to a 6-5 record in his 2014 return to Spring Valley.

Brown had coached the Vikings early in his career, serving as an assistant to Joe Turbeville beginning in 1970. As Spring Valley head coach, he piloted the Vikings to the 1988 Class 4A title. He went on to win three championships at Berkeley, retiring after the 2010 season. But he returned to the sidelines in 2012 at Batesburg-Leesville, where he led the Panthers to the 2103 Class 2A Division 2 title.

This story was originally published January 14, 2015 at 6:57 PM.