Sayreville football coaches suspended, new details reported

Five members of the Sayreville War Memorial High School football coaching staff have been suspended, published reports say, and a New York Times story Monday includes new details of the assaults and the resulting criminal investigation.

A source described in the report as someone with direct knowledge of the decision is quoted as saying the suspensions include head coach George Najjar and that the Sayreville district school board will discuss the suspensions at their scheduled meeting on Tuesday night.

Mark Poore, Tim Ballard, Mike Novak and Ed Mish have all been suspended according to MyCentralJersey.com, which reported in a season preview that the Bombers coaching staff included 13 members that may have been volunteers

NJ Advance Media notes that in accordance with state law school district employees not charged with a crime cannot be suspended without pay.

Sayreville District Superintendent Richard Labbe told NJ.com he has not spoken to Najjar or any member of the coaching staff on advice of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office but hoped he would have a chance this week.

Seven students age 15-17 on the Bombers football team have been charged with juvenile delinquency by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office in connection with four separate alleged attacks on four underclassmen. No adults have yet been charged.

Toniann Antonelli contributed to this report

MORE COVERAGE:

• Football Players in Sayreville, N.J., Recall Hazing / New York Times
• Sayreville suspends football coaches after hazing scandal, sources say / NJ.com
• Sayreville football coaches suspended as teachers / MyCentralJersey.com