A Polk County football coach has resigned after video was released allegedly showing him assaulting a student on campus after an argument.


What You Need To Know

  • Video shows alleged altercation between Coach Charles Tate, student

  • Tate has since resigned his position, has apologized

  • Student’s mother has filed a police report with Winter Haven police

  • More Polk County headlines

The student’s mother says the behavior is not new.

The video shows longtime Winter Haven Coach Charles Tate allegedly assaulting a student after that student got into an argument with one of his football players. Tate quit shortly after the incident, but some parents told Spectrum Bay News 9’s Ashonti Ford that they didn't think that was enough.

In the video, you can see what appears to be some sort of argument followed by what seems like a person putting their hands on someone’s neck. Rayshell Anderson said she believes the two people in that video are Tate and her son. 

“Watching that video footage, so many things went through my head,” she said. “I just couldn’t believe how I’m watching on camera, a school official.”

Records dating back five years show this is not Tate’s first time in hot water for allegedly getting physical with a student. Polk County Schools cited one incident in 2018 that went to the district attorney’s office but no charges were filed. Tate was suspended for a few days, something Anderson said she considers a slap on the wrist.

“As a parent, you can’t be there physically for your kids everywhere they go,” she said. “You send them to school under the impression that they have rules for the students and the school officials. They have this whole book of code of conduct. He used physical aggression, verbal and emotional aggression — physical attack.” 

Shortly before resigning, Tate released a statement apologizing for the incident, and Anderson said her son is feeling the after-effects of that decision. 

“He’s been called a hero by some and a snitch by others,” she said. “It’s sad because this man has done so much over the years within this school system.” 

Anderson filed a police report with the Winter Haven Police Department and has been joined by other parents in asking the district attorney’s office to do more than they have in the past.