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Virginia high school coaches accused of recruiting, paying player to transfer

IMG_8358by: Andy Villamarzo08/01/25Andy_Villamarzo
treytaylor
(Fairfax Athletics / @WEAREfairfax on X)

According to a FOX 5 Washington D.C. report, two high school football coaches are facing allegations of paying $8,000 in an attempt to recruit a player over the past year. The Fairfax County Public School system released a statement on Thursday confirming that Fairfax head coach Trey Taylor and one of his assistant coaches have been placed on leave.

Per the report, a parent sent school officials a letter stating the following:

“The football program at Fairfax High School recruited and paid for my son to transfer to play on the 2024–2025 varsity football team. We received a total of $7,950 — $5,000 in cash, and $2,950 sent via Venmo.”

The Fairfax County Public School system released the following regarding the situation:

“Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has placed two Fairfax High School football coaches on administrative leave following a preliminary review into allegations received last week regarding player recruitment during the past 2024-2025 school year.

We are working with independent, outside investigators to understand what may have happened and will take appropriate action as necessary, following the results of the investigation.

While the investigation is looking into allegations of past player recruitment from the prior 2024-25 school year, FCPS has already revamped the process used to vet all student transfers for athletic eligibility. We have worked closely with the Virginia High School League (VHSL) as they also modified eligibility rules for the 2025-26 school year. 

A significant change is that the athletic eligibility of all student transfers is now managed centrally by the FCPS Office of Student Activities and Athletics. This coordinated effort among several FCPS departments is now ensuring compliance with the new VHSL policies and consistent application of all policies across all of the division’s 25 VHSL member schools.

We are coordinating closely with Fairfax High School to provide the football team and families any support they may need, including developing plans regarding practice schedules and interim coaching support.”

The Lions finished 9-4 during the 2025 season and reached the Class 6A region finals and fell in a 40-25 loss to Lake Braddock.

Ironically, Taylor was one of six coaches that signed a letter last year protesting the possible inclusion of Hayfield Secondary in the postseason following the Hawks own recruiting scandal.