Reaction to Coach Fasig Being Placed on Paid Administrative Leave 

August 9, 2022 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

19 days after the tragic death of Toshaye Pope, Akron Public Schools has placed Coach Fasig on paid administrative leave pending its investigation. Several news organizations have requested the family’s reaction to this news. Attorney Allen Tittle has released the following statement on the family’s behalf: 

“It is ironic that it was not until several news stories came out about Toshaye’s tragic death, that Akron Public Schools took some action, in the form of placing Coach Fasig on paid administrative leave, in furthering its investigation. While the old saying, “better late than never,” holds true here, Toshaye’s family hopes Akron Public Schools truly conducts a comprehensive investigation into the events, choices, and system failures that lead to Toshaye’s death. We all want answers – placing Coach Fasig on leave is the first step in doing so. 

Being a high school football coach is not about wins or losses – it is about using the vehicle of football to teach student-athletes life lessons, like doing the right thing, even when it is difficult to do so. Hopefully, Akron Public Schools sets a good example going forward by doing just that.”