Ashour Peera resigns as East Ridge’s Head Coach

Update – August 16, 2017 at 5:25 p.m.

According to a reliable source close to FloridaHSFootball.com has said that Peera’s resignation is a result of a potential second infraction of FHSAA’s recruiting policy involving the recruitment of Leesburg quarterback Wyatt Rector nearly nine months ago.

On Monday, the Leesburg Daily Commerical reported that text messages originating from Peera’s cellphone were sent to Clay Rector, Wyatt’s father, on the same day that Doug Allison stepped down as the head coach at Leesburg High School.

At the time the report was published, the Lake County School District was still investigating the allegations that came to light back on July 25 in a report from the Daily Commercial.

Peera has denied the allegations according to the Daily Commerical.

If it is proven that Peera has committed a second violation he could potentially face another $5,000 fine in salary in a future position at a different school, plus a one-year suspension of coaching in Florida.

This is a developing story and more information will be added as it is learned.

Original Story – August 16, 2017 at 4:50 p.m.

Ashour Peera’s tenure is over at East Ridge High School in Clermont after the school was recently sanctioned and reprimanded by the Florida High School Athletic Association for recruiting violations committed by Peera.

Peera, who had been suspended since July 26 when it was reported by the Leesburg Daily Commercial that he had potential made improper contact with several athletes in Lake County about possibly playing for East Ridge High School, resigned from all of his positions on Wednesday. Those positions included his two coaching positions as head football coach and head boys weightlifting coach as well as his teaching position.

East Ridge football coach Ashour Peera has been suspended indefinitely from his coaching duties by Lake County Schools.

— Frank Jolley (@by_Frank_Jolley) July 26, 2017

The announcement was first made by the Lake County School District earlier on Wednesday.

Jason Robinson, who was named the acting head coach when Peera was suspended has been named the interim head coach for the 2017-18 season.

BREAKING: East Ridge HC Ashour Peera has resigned. Jason Robinson named Interim HC for the season. #flhsfb @ThePrepZone @352Pigskin

— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) August 16, 2017

The resignation comes after the FHSAA sent East RIdge High School Principal Julie Robinson-Lueallen their findings in regards to the self-reporting of a violation, which was obtained by FloridaHSFootball.com through an information request with the FHSAA.

According to the document dated August 11, 2017, it shows that the FHSAA had forwarded a video showing Coach Peera addressing students attending a football camp that commented about the program including the school’s uniform sponsor, plus “it didn’t matter where they lived or were zoned, this is their home now.”

It was investigated by the administration of the East Ridge High School that a violation did occur, leading to the self-reporting of the violation to the FHSAA.

The FHSAA reviewed eight bylaws and policies in regards to the infraction and found East Ridge High School in violation of Bylaw 6.3 involving Liability for Recruitment, Policy 36.2.2. Involving Improper Contact and allowing an employee of the school to make contact with potential students in an effort to urge, entice, or pressure a student to attend the high school.

As such, the school has been fined $2,500 for the violations, with only the first $250 due immediately to the FHSAA. The rest of the fine is held in abeyance until June 30, 2018 provided no other violation of FHSAA Policy 36.2.2 occurs.

In addition, the school has been placed on Administrative Probation until June 30, 2018 provided on other violations occur as well as receiving a reprimanded from the FHSAA which will become a permanent part of the school’s membership record.

As for Coach Peera? He would have forfeited $5,000 of his salary if he retained his position for violating the FHSAA recruiting policy plus would have had to go through Corrective Action procedures including reviewing and discussing the contents of FHSAA Bylaw 6.3, and Policies 36 & 37. The fine and Corrective Action procedures would follow Peera to a new school in Florida if he were hired by one as a coach or teacher, according to the FHSAA.

The school has 10 business days from the date of the letter to appeal the decision from the FHSAA, but no word if East Ridge High School will pursue that option.