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.
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!"
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?
As a society, we are STILLcondoning sexual abuse. As individuals, as family, as a society, court system, churches, judges...otherwise light sentences wouldn't still be handed out. And, we need many more resources for those who have been abused whether they divulge it in childhood, teen hood, etc., We are an uncivilzed society. And, this is NOT blaming victims yet if disclosing was easier, if we supported victims/survivors on day one, more might name names. They are soul killers & shld pay a hefty price for their crimes no matter who they are