Students go on offensive for coach

New London (WTNH) - Dozens of New London High School students have been suspended after staging a walkout. The students left class this morning to show their support for the school's football coach, after rumors spread their controversial coach could be fired.

"We knew we had to come out here and show him we do care about him," said sophomore Tywan Jenkins.

Jack Cochran brought a state championship to the long-struggling New London football program but he's also brought trouble. He's received one fine for letting junior high athletes practice with the team and now another fine for conducting out-of-season baseball practice.

"There's a lot of things you don't know about this man," said Jenkins. "He gets thousands of dollars in scholarships every year and nobody out here has money to pay for that."

Detelj: "Do you think he still needs to follow the rules though?"
Sophomore, Franklin Dallas: "Yeah there's a border where you have to follow the rules but it's not like he breaks the major rules."

While some students just walked out, others were signed out by parents.

"Showing support, supporting their coach who they care about," said Willis Maynard, a parent.

Detelj: "Even though they're getting in trouble?"

Maynard: "Yes. It's worth the three days."

"There were a number of adults who acted in what I think was a shameful manner by manipulating the kids into doing this," said Superintendent of Schools Christopher Clouet. "I think that's a shame but I want to say I think the kids handled themselves very well."

After coming here, the superintendent actually came outside and invited a few students to meet with him. Right afterward he met with Coach Cochran.

That meeting was postponed until tomorrow.

Detelj: "Are you concerned about your job as coach?"

Coach Cochran: "Right now I'm just happy to see all these guys supporting me thanks."