At a Glance
- Celina ISD released an 85-page redacted report on former Moore Middle School football coach Caleb Elliott
- The report says head football coach Bill Elliott influenced his son’s 2023 hiring
- Witnesses described behavior that could be considered grooming, including giving a child an Apple Watch
- Why it matters: Parents are demanding answers about the continued employment of the elder Elliott, who faces child-pornography charges
Celina ISD late Friday released an independent law-firm’s 85-page redacted report chronicling former Moore Middle School football coach Caleb Elliott’s tenure and the district’s handling of his hiring and conduct.
The Board of Trustees sent the report to families one day after a tense Monday board meeting where parents pressed officials on why head football coach and athletic director Bill Elliott-Caleb’s father-remains employed while under indictment for secretly recording boys in the locker room.
Report Details Caleb Elliott’s Hiring
The investigation, conducted by an outside law firm, finds that Bill Elliott exerted his influence during his son’s 2023 hiring process. Multiple witnesses told investigators the elder Elliott lobbied administrators to bring Caleb on staff despite concerns about nepotism and the younger Elliott’s limited coaching experience.
The report outlines:
- A rushed hiring timeline that bypassed standard interview protocols
- Emails showing Bill Elliott directly contacting board members on Caleb’s behalf
- A committee vote that shifted after the elder Elliott’s intervention
Investigators concluded the hiring “did not follow best practices for transparency.”
Grooming Allegations Surface
Witnesses described behavior by Caleb Elliott that they said could be considered grooming, including:
- Giving a middle-school student access to an Apple Watch linked to his phone
- Frequent text messages with students outside school hours
- Invitations to his office with the door closed
- Offering rides home after practice
The report notes that “dozens” of students, parents, and staff were interviewed. Text messages and emails were reviewed, though most content is redacted to protect minors.
Redactions Shield Children
Nearly every student name and specific message is blacked out in the 85 pages. Attorneys wrote that redactions were necessary to comply with privacy laws and to avoid re-traumatizing children.
Still, enough detail survived to show investigators found “concerning patterns” in Caleb Elliott’s interactions with students. The report does not allege criminal conduct by the younger Elliott, but it recommends the district tighten policies on coach-student contact.
Bill Elliott Remains on Paid Leave
The elder Elliott, who led the high-school program to multiple state titles, was arrested in October. Celina Police concluded a criminal investigation in November and forwarded state and federal charges:
| Charge | Count |
|---|---|
| Invasive visual recording | 6 counts |
| Possession of child pornography | 3 counts |
| Promotion of child pornography | 2 counts |
| Sexual performance of a child | 1 count |
He is free on bond. The district placed him on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of his case.
Community Pressure Builds
Parents packed Monday’s board meeting, holding signs that read “Protect our kids” and chanting “No more secrets.” Several speakers asked trustees to fire Bill Elliott immediately.
Superentendent Rick DeMasters said state employment law prevents the district from taking further action until the legal process concludes. Board president Amy Parks pledged transparency but gave no timeline for a personnel decision.
District Promises Reforms
Along with the report, trustees announced new policies effective immediately:
- Mandatory two-adult rule in all locker rooms
- Ban on coaches texting students individually
- Quarterly audits of surveillance cameras
- Anonymous tip line for reporting misconduct
The district also hired a second outside firm to review all athletic-department procedures.
Caleb Elliott Resigns
Caleb Elliott submitted his resignation in September before the investigation concluded. He has not spoken publicly and his current whereabouts are unknown.
Investigators said his departure limited their ability to question him under oath, leaving several findings “inconclusive.”
Legal Fallout Continues
The Texas Education Agency is conducting its own review. Federal investigators have subpoenaed district records dating back to 2020. No additional arrests have been announced.
Key Takeaways
- The 85-page report confirms Bill Elliott’s role in his son’s hiring and details grooming concerns about Caleb Elliott
- Redactions protect student identities but reveal enough to prompt policy changes
- Parents want the elder Elliott fired; the district says it must await trial
- New safety rules are now in place across Celina athletics
