Karns football has been hit with a Level 3 recruiting violation which includes being placed on restrictive probation, leaving it unable to participate in the 2026 Tennessee high school football playoffs, TSSAA assistant executive director Matthew Gillespie confirmed to Knox News on Oct. 21.
In a letter from the TSSAA, Karns football coach Lee Warren was accused of trying to recruit a player not enrolled at Karns to play for the football team, which led to an investigation.
"We learned of the situation when a voicemail was shared with our staff, which appeared to indicate that a Karns High School staff member was asked by the head football to contact the mother of a student who was not enrolled at Karns and encourage him to attend Karns High School and participate
in football," the letter said.
The recruiting violation consequences also include the school's choice of suspending coach Lee Warren for a game and paying a $500 fine or face further disciplinary action.
The school will also be placed on restrictive probation for one year and an additional year of probation, limited offseason practice opportunities to six days during a 15-day period and a total financial penalty of $2,750.
The Beavers have a 3-5 record this season and are 2-3 in Region 2-5A. They will compete in Class 6A football for the 2027 season.
This story will be updated.
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Karns banned from TSSAA football playoffs after receiving Level 3 recruiting violation
