A high school soccer coach in Florida has been accused of assaulting three students during a practice session, following a similar incident with another student at a different school just weeks earlier.
Jamir Clarke, who serves as an assistant coach at Blanche Ely High School, was arrested on Monday after a physical confrontation broke out during practice. Reports indicate that Clarke, 29, initiated the altercation due to a negative post made by a student about someone he knows.
It’s alleged that after players acknowledged having made the post, Clarke, who stands at 6 feet 7 inches and weighs 400 pounds, struck one of the students and used derogatory language.
The situation escalated when his teammates retaliated, leading to a chaotic scene where the initial victim managed to escape.
According to an anonymous student, “He was just surrounded by everyone and started throwing punches at anyone in reach.”
One of the student-athletes ended up getting hit by Clarke while trying to break up the fight.
When deputies from the Broward Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene, they faced difficulty entering the weightlifting room where the incident unfolded because the door was locked.
Once they gained access, they found Clarke sitting on the floor with the lights off, and he was subsequently taken into custody. A mirror in the weight room was reported broken during the altercation.
Broward County Public Schools notified parents that Clarke would no longer be coaching, expressing their distress over the incident and reaffirming their commitment to student safety.
Clarke now faces four charges of child abuse without causing serious bodily harm. He was booked into Broward County Main Jail on a $30,000 bond, later being released under house arrest with a GPS monitor.
In court, Clarke claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging that the prosecutor manipulated his size and coaching role to escalate the conflict. This incident comes on the heels of another accusation against him for assaulting a student earlier in the month at Monarch High School, where he also worked.
Local news has reported that investigators found troubling footage showing Clarke engaging in violent behavior against students in a school bathroom prior to his arrest. Broward County Public Schools mentioned that they were unaware of the video until after Clarke was taken into custody.
The district has mentioned that Clarke, who has been employed there since December 2024, will not be coaching during the ongoing review of these cases, which could lead to his dismissal.
This incident and the video have drawn outrage from parents and students at both Monarch and Blanche Ely High Schools.
Parent Shaka Williams expressed shock over the situation, suggesting there should be a higher standard of behavior from adults toward students. He noted a concerning lack of self-control from Clarke, especially given the recent series of violent events involving him.
Student Isaiah Robinson commented that he was not surprised by the accusations against Clarke, citing a troubling history. If found guilty, Clarke could face up to five years in prison for each charge.
