Coronado coach’s recruiting case heads to state committee

ABC-7 has brand new information on the recruiting scandal within the El Paso Independent School District.

Last month a District Executive Committee ruled that Coronado High School volleyball coach Raul Lawrence recruited at least eight freshmen to his program, violating University Interscholastic League rules.

ABC-7 has learned Lawrence’s case has been referred to the State Executive Committee for a hearing.

“Unfortunately sometimes the power and desire to win becomes tantamount to doing things that are not what should be done,” said Mitch Morgan, the father of a former Coronado volleyball player.

Morgan sent a letter to the District Executive Committee after his daughter was cut by Lawrence to make room for others, stating: “What I have discovered is shameful if you let this continue. It is common knowledge among the coaches and the parents associated with this incident. Coach Lawrence recruits.”

Last month the DEC ruled Lawrence recruited at least eight girls.

The District Executive Committee met again last week and according to Socorro Independent School District spokesman Daniel Escobar: “They went into closed session and discussed it. They voted to send it to the state level for review. My understanding is at the state level they will determine if there are additional penalties.”

Coach Lawrence is in his 10th year coaching the varsity volleyball team at Coronado.

UIL Media Coordinator Kate Hector told ABC-7 that Lawrence faces much stiffer penalties from the State Executive Committee than he would from the District Executive Committee.

The only possible penalty from the District Executive Committee is a private reprimand. However, a State Executive Committee can issue a public reprimand, put the coach on probation and/or suspend him for a period of time.

The next State Executive Committee hearing is scheduled for Nov. 11.

Hector said: “The UIL will ask those involved to come to the meeting in Austin. They will have the opportunity to speak and we will hear the case again.”

ABC-7 searched UIL records and found the last coach guilty of recruiting violations by the state was given a public reprimand and two years probation.

Coach Lawrence and the Coronado volleyball team are scheduled for a bi-district playoff game against Frenship on Tuesday in Monahans.