Phillip Hawkins, the current Henry Clay high school football coach known for his successful tenure at Bryan Station, has been placed on administrative leave. No further details have been released by the school.
He was last officially seen with the team on July 18, while leading a seven-on-seven camp for them at Eastern Kentucky University. During appearances on multiple preseason live shows, Henry Clay's offensive coordinator Matthew Amburgey stepped in for Hawkins, speaking of Hawkins during one such appearance as though he was still head coach.
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The 2026-27 season would be Hawkins' second with the team. They finished 1-10 overall and 0-5 in district play in his first year at the helm, lengthening the time since the program's last winning season in 2015.
Hawkins is perhaps better known for his four successful seasons at rival Bryan Station, where he led the Defenders to three 10-win seasons and a 6A state runner-up finish in 2023. Prior to his arrival there in 2020, Bryan Station had, similarly, not had a winning season since 2015.
Henry Clay opens their season this Friday against Collins at Lafayette High School.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kentucky high school football coach placed on leave with season opener set for Friday