Denton, TX, July 30, 2025
News Summary
A student from Denton ISD has initiated a push to remove football coach Kent Laster, citing concerns over his toxic leadership style that negatively impacts team morale. Dustin Sharp, a senior at Braswell High School, reported that Laster’s management has led many students to quit the team. Sharp collected nearly 400 signatures in support of his petition and voiced his concerns at a recent school board meeting. The district has acknowledged the grievance but cannot disclose specific details due to privacy laws, and efforts to contact Coach Laster for comment were unsuccessful.
Denton, TX – A Denton ISD student is calling for the removal of his football coach amid growing concerns over what has been described as toxic leadership. Seventeen-year-old Dustin Sharp voiced his grievances regarding Coach Kent Laster during a public comment session at the district’s board meeting on Tuesday evening.
Sharp, who is preparing for his senior year at Braswell High School, detailed the negative impact of Laster’s alleged leadership style on the student-athletes, claiming it has led to several students quitting the football team. He expressed that the current environment created by Laster’s coaching methods is demoralizing and lacks encouragement for growth and positivity among the athletes.
To further support his appeal for Coach Laster’s removal, Sharp submitted a petition containing nearly 400 signatures from fellow students and supporters. During the board meeting, he was joined by two additional supporters: a former football player and a current athlete, both of whom attended with their families to emphasize their concerns about the coach’s leadership.
In light of these allegations, Denton ISD has acknowledged that a formal grievance has been filed at the Braswell campus regarding the situation, although the district has stated it cannot reveal specifics due to employee privacy laws. The district has a grievance procedure in place, which begins at the campus level and can escalate to district-level resolution if the issues remain unresolved.
Efforts to contact Coach Kent Laster for a response to the allegations were unsuccessful, as there was no reply to phone inquiries. Although Sharp’s concerns were raised publicly, it remains unclear whether these issues were privately addressed during the board’s executive session following the public comments.
Allegations Against the Coach
Dustin Sharp’s main allegations center around Coach Laster’s management style, which he categorizes as manipulative. Sharp states that this toxic environment is harmful not only to the team spirit but also to individual athletes’ mental health. The student athletes’ willingness to quit the team signifies a larger concern regarding retention and morale under the current coaching structure.
Next Steps for Denton ISD
The next steps for the district include reviewing the grievance submitted regarding Coach Laster’s leadership. While the process unfolds, the focus will remain primarily on maintaining the integrity of the grievance process and considering the input from the student body and the families affected. As reports come in, the district may provide updates as appropriate.
Background on Denton ISD
Denton Independent School District (DISD) governs several educational institutions in the Denton area, including Braswell High School. The district aims to foster a positive and healthy environment for all students, prioritizing educational excellence and well-being. Issues regarding coaching and leadership styles can have significant implications for student experiences and are typically addressed through established grievance policies to ensure fair treatment of both students and staff.
Conclusion
As this situation develops, the implications for student-athletes and the coaching staff at Braswell High School will be closely monitored by both the students and the broader school community. The outcome of the grievance process could have significant long-term effects on the school’s football program and its coaching approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the call for Coach Laster’s removal?
Dustin Sharp expressed concerns about Coach Kent Laster’s leadership style, claiming it has created a toxic environment resulting in student-athletes quitting the football team.
How many signatures were gathered in support of Sharp’s petition?
Nearly 400 signatures were collected to support the request for the removal of Coach Laster.
What is the process for addressing grievances within Denton ISD?
Denton ISD has a grievance procedure starting at the campus level, escalating to district level if unresolved. Details about individual grievances cannot be disclosed for privacy reasons.
Have there been any responses from Coach Laster regarding the allegations?
No response has been received from Coach Kent Laster to inquiries made about the allegations against him.
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Additional Resources
- WFAA: Denton ISD Senior Urges Removal of Football Coach
- WFAA Video: Denton ISD Student Calls for Coach’s Removal
- Star-Telegram: Denton ISD Football Coach Under Fire
- KCTV5: Former KU Football Coach Takes High School Job in Texas
- KUSports: Beaty Takes Job at Texas High School
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- Google Search: High School Athletics Coaching Practices
- Google Scholar: Coaching Styles and Student Wellbeing in High School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sports
- Google News: Denton ISD Football Coach Removal
