Texas HS Football Coach Reportedly Admits to Ordering Players to Hit Referee

John Jay High School assistant football coach Mack Breed reportedly admitted to the school's principal and head football coach that he directed members of the team to attack an official during a game on Sept. 4.

After the game, Breed allegedly told head coach Gary Gutierrez he ordered the players to take out referee Robert Watts, according to a letter obtained by ESPN's Outside The Lines (via ESPN.com's John Barr). Breed reportedly confirmed his actions to Gutierrez and principal Robert Harris the next day.

"I later met with Coach Breed at John Jay High School...in my office in the presence of Coach Gutierrez," Harris wrote in the letter. "Coach Breed told me that he directed the students to make the referee pay for his racial comments and calls. He wanted to take full responsibility for his actions. Mr. Breed at one point during our conversation stated that he should have handled the referee himself."

The alleged details would confirm the stories that the players, Michael Moreno and Victor Rojas, relayed during an interview on Good Morning America last week. The players claimed Breed told them to make the official "pay the price" after Watts allegedly missed calls and used racial slurs, per Dan Good of ABC News.

"You put your trust into this grown-up, this guardian, your coach, who's been there for me. ... I trust him. I did what I was told," Moreno said.

Barr writes both of the players involved will be allowed to return to school for the spring semester, according to their lawyer. The piece notes they have been assigned to alternate schools for 75 days and banned from watching any of the John Jay games, even as spectators.

"Obviously the boys wanted to return to John Jay High School immediately, but we think this punishment is within the bounds of fairness, and the boys have accepted responsibility for their actions," said their representative, Jesse Hernandez, per Barr's piece.

A third player was involved in the discussions but did not follow through with the coach's request.

Breed has not publicly admitted to any wrongdoing.

A source told ESPN.com that Watts used the N-word twice during the game and also used racial language toward Hispanics. His attorney denied the use of any offensive remarks during the game.

Both players are scheduled for disciplinary hearings Wednesday to discuss what further punishment, if any, will be handed out, including potential expulsion from the school.

The ABC News report stated the Northside Independent School District was planning to file a formal complaint against Watts. The referee is also considering legal action against the players for the attack.