CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – A former Conway High School football coach and the school district are being sued by a student who says he was attacked with excessive force.
The student, Ka’Brian Hickman, filed the lawsuit on Friday, saying ex-football Coach Chuck Jordan used “unreasonable, unnecessary, and excessive force” against him while he was restrained.
Jordan was accused of assaulting Hickman in May 2017 and surveillance video was released of the exchange. Both were criminally charged following the altercation, and charges eventually were dropped for both.
Jordan was placed on paid administrative leave after the incident and his contract was not renewed in November 2017.
The lawsuit states Hickman suffered from certain learning disabilities and behavioral disorders and both the school district and the coach were aware of this.
Jordan left his office without his administrator’s radio, the suit states, and attempted to confront Hickman regarding reported conduct. Jordan then followed Hickman throughout the school premises as Hickman attempted to walk away from him, the suit states.
The student was “neither threatening other students nor being violent in any way as he continued walking away from Jordan.” Once Hickman was restrained by another school employee, Jordan “attacked him” by “forcefully placing his hand around his neck/throat area,” the suit continues.
The suit then state Hickman’s head forcefully contacted metal lockers in the hallway, causing him to suffer significant injuries.
The suit introduces a letter from the superintendent to Jordan as Exhibit A. The letter outlines the superintendent’s understanding of what happened and the disciplinary actions to follow.
In the letter, Superintendent Rick Maxay writes, “I also have determined that you exercised unnecessary and excessive physical measures with the student after he was restrained by another employee.”
Jordan told Maxay a female student reported Hickman for making threatening comments and that assistance was needed, according to the letter.
The suit is asking for damages in an amount to be determined by the jury.
Jordan currently is an analyst for the Coastal Carolina University football program and was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame a couple months ago.
Horry County School District employees will not comment on pending litigation.
