Suspended Alabama high school football coach files suit against AHSAA

South Alabama High School SportsMary Montgomery head coach Zach Golson walks the sidelines during a prep football game, Friday, October 14, 2022, in Semmes, Ala. (Scott Donaldson | al.com)Scott Donaldson/al.comFormer Mary G. Montgomery football coach Zach Golson has filed a lawsuit against the Alabama High School Athletic Association and four individuals, seeking due process following his replacement as the team’s head football coach and one-year AHSAA suspension.The suit was filed in Montgomery Circuit Court on Friday. The AHSAA announced in May that Mary G. Montgomery committed recruiting violations and put the football program on restrictive probation. Golson, the coach when the alleged violations occurred, was put on administrative leave by Mobile County prior to the probation announcement and was ultimately transferred within Mobile County.The team also was banned from postseason play in 2026 as part of the probation. Mary G. Montgomery appealed the postseason ban to both the District 1 Board and the Central Board of Control, but both upheld the penalties. Golson appealed his teaching transfer to the Mobile County Public School Board. That Board upheld the transfer. Golson is seeking injunctive relief, monetary damages and a hearing to clear his name.In his suit Friday, Golson names AHSAA executive director Heath Harmon, AHSAA investigator Chuck Anderson, MCPSS superintendent Chresal Threadgill and Mary G. Montgomery principal David Diaz.“Allegations were made against Golson to the AHSAA by the principal of a rival high school,” according to the suit. “Defendants then made public, defamatory statements regarding those allegations to the detriment of Golson’s career and reputation. Golson has been refused due process and an opportunity to refute those allegations.”Mary G. Montgomery coach Zach Golson talks with quarterback Jeremy Menhennett against Thompson during an AHSAA Class 7A quarterfinal playoff game at Warrior Stadium in Alabaster, Ala., Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis VictoryThe violations allegedly centered around an eighth grade signing day ceremony held at Mary G. Montgomery on April 23, 2026. According to Golson’s suit, the ceremony was held to recognize students who had independently decided to attend Mary G. Montgomery High School for the 2026-2027 school year. Students from multiple middle schools in Mobile County attended the event. Golson said no invitations or personal requests were made to students or their families.“None of the students who attended the event were encouraged to transfer schools or change an existing enrollment decision because of the event, and no scholarships, financial assistance, housing, employment, gifts, transportation or other inducements were offered or promised to any student or family,” according to the suit.Rival high schools Baker and Blount, according to Golson, submitted complaints following the event, alleging students living outside the MGM school zone attended the event resulting in a violation of the AHSAA recruiting rule.Golson said he was interviewed by Anderson for less than an hour once the AHSAA started an investigation. “Based on prior AHSAA decisions involving illegal contact and recruiting, Golson believed that the investigation would fairly distinguish between technical violations of the recruiting bylaw and intentional recruiting designed to gain a competitive advantage,” the suit states. “While Golson and MGM may have technically violated the AHSAA rules, and that is disputed, he did not intentionally do anything in violation of the AHSAA rules.”Golson’s suit states that AHSAA, Harmon and Anderson had a predetermined outcome in mind and lacked impartiality. It also states representatives from at least one rival high school have been involved in steering the investigation.The lawsuit states Golson has not had a chance to challenge the conclusion of the investigation and therefore has been denied due process. The AHSAA has not publicly released any report on the Mary G. Montgomery case.The lawsuit seeks clarification on multiple questions:“Due process would provide Golson an opportunity to address the factual and procedural concerns that he and members of the community have raised: Was there an investigation completed? Was the investigation impartial? What evidence was found? Did persons connected to rival high school direct or drive the investigation? Why was the punishment AHSAA gave to Golson so much more severe than that given to other coaches around the state? Why was Golson removed as the Head Football Coach at MGM without an investigation by the Superintendent and Diaz?”In part, Golson is seeking the following:A permanent injunction on his season-long suspension by the AHSAA or in the alternative an injunction directing the AHSAA and Harmon to offer due process and give Golson written notice of allegations against him.A permanent injunction directing Threadgill and Diaz to rescind the removal of Golson as head football coach or offer due process.Compensatory and punitive damages.When contacted Monday, Golson wanted all comments to go through his attorney. He is currently teaching physical education at the Pathway 6-12 School in Mobile. Harmon did not immediately return an email from AL.com seeking comment on the suit. MCPSS director of communications Rena Philips said the school system had no comment. Anderson also could not comment.Golson led Mary G. Montgomery to an unprecedented four-year run of success, building a 37-10 record and reaching the playoffs all four seasons. He led the Vikings to the Class 7A semifinals in 2023.His defensive coordinator, Alex Page, is now the team’s head coach. The Vikings have started 0-2 with losses to Class 5A No. 2 Saraland and Class 4A No. 2 Vigor to open the season. Their upcoming 6A, Region 1 games will not count in the standings due to the school’s restrictive probation.Vote for the top North Alabama high school football performance from Week 2Who should be the Cunningham Bounds Coastal Player of Week 2?6 things we learned from Week 2 of 2026 Alabama HS footballCheck out all of Friday’s Week 2 Alabama high school football scoresBaker’s Graham rallies Hornets after early blunder to knock off Theodore Ben Thomas is responsible for prep coverage throughout the state of Alabama. He has been named one of the 50 Legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association and has won numerous awards, including the National...