Ex-Ringling coach accused of cursing at players withdraws court plea

A former Oklahoma high school football coach accused of cursing at his teenage players wants a jury to consider the case against him, after a judge rejected the original plea deal he had worked out with prosecutors.

Ex-Ringling coach Phil Koons initially pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of outraging public decency. But a Jefferson County judge ruled Tuesday he could withdraw his plea and move toward trial.

Lawyers for Koons had argued the hall of fame coach was forced to make a rushed decision about his no-contest plea during a January court hearing and didn't fully understand the consequences of his decision. When defendants plead no contest, they do not admit guilt but waive the right to a trial and agree to accept the court's punishment.

Koons had been planning to enter the plea under the terms of an agreement that called for probation. Judge Dennis Gay said he wouldn't accept those terms, however, leaving Koons facing up to a year in jail.

'Football heaven': A coach suspended. A town divided. What happened in Ringling?

Prosecutor John Weedn asked Gay to reject Koons' request to take back his no-contest plea and sentence him as planned.

The proceedings were delayed for more than a month after Koons suffered an apparent medical episode while testifying in court. They picked back up Tuesday, when the judge sided with Koons.

The ex-coach is now asserting his right to a jury trial, according to court papers filed Tuesday by one of his attorneys, Michael Johnson. The development means the case could continue to work its way through the court system for months or even years.

What to know about the case, Ringling High School

The case stems from a state police investigation last year into complaints lodged by teenage boys in Ringling, a town of about 900 in south central Oklahoma. Court records allege he used "profane, degrading and derogatory language towards student-athletes under his supervision." Several players alleged he bullied and intimidated them as the Blue Devils competed every year for a Class A title.

Some of those players told The Oklahoman that Koons repeatedly used racist and homophobic slurs to refer to them and once required them to complete exercise drills while they were undressed in the locker room.

Several players sued Koons and Ringling schools in January over the mistreatment they say they endured and the schools' failure to act.

Koons no longer coaches or teaches, though he remains certified to teach several subjects and serve as a secondary school principal — a post he also held at Ringling in addition to being the head football coach.

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has said he was monitoring the criminal investigation, but has not said whether he will take any further action tied to players' complaints. State regulators have not asked the Oklahoma State Board of Education to consider revoking Koons' teaching certificates.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma football coach accused of cursing at players withdraws plea