Concord schools outline hiring process for athletic director who was previously accused of abusive conduct

ELKHART, Ind. -- A new hire at Concord Schools comes with a bit of a checkered past.

The district hired Rick Court as athletic director, starting July first. His most recent job was at Greenville High School, northeast of Grand Rapids, where he was the currently the strength and performance coordinator.

Before that, Court spent time at the University of Maryland as a strength and conditioning coach in the football program.

Court resigned from his position with the university in August of 2018, after an investigation by the former university president found him to be abusive to players, including alleged incidents involving verbal abuse.

The report also details alleged situations involving court throwing weights, food, and a trash can that had vomit in it. Concord schools declined an on-camera interview Wednesday but provided a list of references they spoke with before hiring Court.

They include a former student athlete, an athletic administrator overseeing football operations, as well as the head football coach at Maryland during Court's time with the Terrapins.

Concord schools also released a statement to ABC 57 saying in part:

  "We also contacted administrators and coaches at Greenville public schools, who reported that Mr. Court has done an outstanding job during his time in Michigan and described him as a positive influence on student-athletes, with one reference characterizing him as a 'life changer' for students."