High school football: Ogden assistant accused of slur

OGDEN — A remark allegedly made at last Friday's football game between Bonneville and Ogden has a member of the Ogden High School football coaching staff fighting allegations of racist conduct.

School officials from both Ogden High and Bonneville High each launched investigations into determining whether or not a Tigers assistant coach used a racial slur directed at Lakers player Devin Mickles during Bonneville's 7-6 victory on Friday night.

Jason Finder, a sideline official who was part of the crew working the chains, alleged that Ogden defensive coordinator Ian Eyre uttered a racial slur in reference to Mickles after he leveled a Tiger player with a hard hit. Finder, who is also Bonneville's boys basketball coach, alleged that Eyre became upset after wanting a flag thrown on the play and exchanged some heated words with Finder.

It marks the second controversial incident that the Ogden football coaches have dealt with so far this season. Head coach Eric Eyre served a two-game suspension handed down earlier this fall following a confrontation with the band director at Ogden High that arose over a scheduling conflict concerning usage of the football field.

Eric Eyre disputed the allegations made by Finder, but declined to comment on the particulars of the situation until the Ogden School District has finished looking into the matter.

"On the record, I can't make any statement because the district is handling it," Eyre said.

Phone messages left by the Deseret News with Bonneville football head coach Matt Williams and Finder were not returned by press deadline.

The Eyres coach a large number of minority players at Ogden, and one of those players currently resides with them at their house.

e-mail: jcoon@desnews.com