INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Football players are set to welcome a new head coach at Independence High School. Current assistant coach Matthew Burns -- who is also the eighth-grade math teacher at the middle school -- has been chosen to lead the Blue Devils varsity football team, subject to school board confirmation Jan. 21.

In that email, the school's superintendent explained that he and the athletic director met with coach Chris Kates in December to discuss his employment following the school’s investigation into the hazing claims.

The coach of a football team in Lisbon embroiled in a hazing scandal will not be returning next season. Lisbon Superintendent Richard Green confirmed the high school will be hiring a new head coach to replace Chris Kates.