Jim Derrow has fouled out.

After 22 plus seasons as the Wellston boys’ head basketball coach, the Jackson Times-Journal reported that Derrow’s supplemental contract was suspended by the Wellston Board of Education Monday in compliance with the Ohio High School Athletic Association ruling that determined the coach was guilty of a direct recruiting violation.

A letter from OHSAA associate commissioner Deborah B. Moore to the Wellston City Schools said Derrow was actively involved in the recruiting violation and that his actions “have discredited Wellston High School.”

The letter also said the school was fined $2,500 to be paid no later than Jan. 5 and the team would not be eligible to participate in the postseason tournament and would be placed on probation for the next five years.

However, the OHSAA said it is willing to remove the penalties if Derrow was removed from his position, placed on a five-year probation period, and not permitted to have any contact with the players during any practices, open gyms, conditioning, or other basketball activities connected with the program.

After a two hour executive session, the board voted 3-2 to accept the OHSAA ruling and sanctions.

Board member Dr. Joe Essman noted that there were no avenues of appeal. He added that, “We did not judge Mr. Derrow. The OHSAA did.”

Another board member, Terry Gill, was not happy with the OHSAA ruling.

“(Coach Derrow) has been around for 28 years and should have been treated with greater respect by the OHSAA,” Gill told the Jackson Times-Journal.

Assistant coach Jamie Lambert has been named the interim head coach.