Why Was Alphonso Smith Jr. Allowed to Coach Children?

Published September 3, 2026 at 1:50 PM EDT

Alphonso Smith Jr. Credit: CBS 12 (West Palm Beach, Florida)

PAHOKEE, FL —The tragic suicide of former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. has ignited intense scrutiny over why the decorated athlete was permitted to return to high school coaching after being dismissed over allegations of inappropriate conduct.

Smith, 40, was abruptly terminated as head football coach at Pahokee High School in November 2015 following an investigation into "inappropriate conduct." While the Palm Beach County School District handed the case to law enforcement, details were never publicly disclosed, and no criminal charges were filed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBW_0sFC0iE&list=WL&index=4

Local news report about the suspension of Alphonso Smith Jr. from Pahokee High School. (Novemebr 12, 2015)

Nearly five years later, in April 2021, Smith was hired as the head football coach at Inlet Grove High School in Riviera Beach, Florida, where he led the varsity team for a full season before stepping down in early 2022.

Public outrage erupted following Smith’s final social media post on September 2, 2026, in which he claimed he was abused as a child and admitted, "I did the same onto others! I have HURT so many!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAKxikSWRD4&list=WL&index=2

Local news report about the hiring of Alphonso Smith Jr. at Inlet Grove High School. (Apr 20, 2021)

The admission has raised urgent questions regarding background checks and administrative oversight. We would like to know how a coach who was removed under a cloud of investigation involving innappropriate contact with minors was legally and seamlessly cleared to oversee youth and high school athletes years later?