A former Oklahoma high school football coach is under investigation over allegations that he made "sexual deals" with the moms of his players to get their sons more playing time.
According to KNWA, Greg Werner abruptly resigned from his position as head football coach at Poteau High School just days before the 2024 season began.
Public records reveal that the as far back as August 12 of 2024, the Oklahoma State Board of Education has attempted to collect incident, investigative, discipline and personnel files, as well as any audio and video recordings concerning or related to Werner.
Included in the subpoena served by Poteau Schools by the board of education was a narrative from one player, either current or former, who alleged that Werner, in GroupMe messaging, would “go into detail about sexual activities he wants to do with the player’s mom and was bragging about how many other women/players mothers he had been with.”
The player reported to the Department of Education that Werner "has made sexual deals with player moms which was resulting in playing time for their sons."
The narrative continued, “Werner (coach/athletic director) has made sexual deals with player moms which was resulting in playing time for their sons.” The Case #23-0902 narrative also accused Werner of being caught, by players, engaging in sexual activity in the media room, the scoreboard room above the field, and the stadium press box.
After multiple KNWA public records requests to Poteau Schools Superintendent Scott Kempenich, the school district eventually turned over limited employment documents, including a resignation letter from Werner dated August 26, six days after the law firm’s response to the board of education and just four days before football team’s first game of the season.
Werner, an Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee who guided the Pirates to the Class 4A state championship in 2019, resigned after five years of a second stint with the program. Defensive coordinator Mike Odom (a 17-year assistant coach with the last eight years as defensive coordinator), who was an All-State coach in 2022, stepped in as interim head coach.
"We appreciate his service to our students, and we wish him the best in the future," Poteau Public Schools Superintendent Scott Kempenich said of Werner in a letter back in August, adding of Odom, "Coach Odom will have an unwavering dedication to our students and our community."
