Ozen coach placed on paid leave
Published 5:49 pm Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Ozen boys basketball coach Marquis Saveat has been placed on administrative leave, a Beaumont ISD spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.
The move is pending an ongoing investigation into the basketball program, Kimberly James said, although she did not specify the nature of it. A local television station reported the probe is related to funds from a tournament during the Thanksgiving break.
Saveat has been the Panthers’ head coach since January 2009, when he replaced Andre Boutte, who left to become Port Arthur ISD athletic director. He led Ozen to a state runner-up finish in 5A two seasons ago.
Saveat also has been reported to be an applicant for the Beaumont ISD athletic director position.
Ozen is third in District 22-5A standings following a win over Lumberton on Tuesday. The Panthers are a game behind second-place Port Arthur Memorial and two behind Central.
About I.C. Murrell
I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
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