HS coach admits to drinking in front of his athletes

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (WHDH) -- A high school sports coach has admitted he drank in front of his athletes at a house party in Plymouth.

Coach Dwayne Follette celebrated with his team after winning a state championship. But it's what Coach Follette did at another team celebration in a Plymouth backyard that has him in hot water.

"I think they've gone too far. Coming into our homes, investigating what we do,” said John Myette, hosted party.

Follette was drinking along with other adults at the team party and school officials say that was wrong.

“It is wrong because it fosters the elevation of alcohol in the system with young students,” said Margie Burgess, school committee.

The couple that hosted the party says police first investigated complaints the adults were providing alcohol to the kids at the party but police say they found no evidence of that accusation.

When parents learned the school was still considering action against their well-loved coach, hundreds planned to rally on his behalf.

School officials reached a compromise that Coach Follette would apologize for drinking in front of the kids.

He would lose his position coaching football and JV basketball, but he would keep coaching baseball.

“He was the better man because he said, at some point, ‘enough is enough. I care for my community more than taking this to the end,’” said Pam Myette.

It’s clear many in the town support him.

“You couldn’t ask for anyone nicer,” said one woman. “His whole life has been all about the kids.”

The coach has agreed to counsel kids on the dangers of underage drinking.