Broward football coach jailed for punching players over social media posts: BSO

A Broward County high school assistant coach is behind bars after hitting three students during a team meeting at football practice — stemming from spirited social media posts about the team’s quarterback — who happens to be the coach’s nephew, officials said.

The fight happened Monday afternoon at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach. Head coach Joshua Moore had gathered more than 50 players in the weight room to discuss the team’s homecoming loss when assistant coach Jamir Clarke, 29, confronted players over “negative social media posts” about his nephew, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

A verbal spat with players quickly escalated to punches being thrown and the team rushing towards Clarke as he “began swinging punches on any team members who were coming at him,” his arrest report read.

By the end of the fight, at least three students were hurt by Clarke and a mirror on the wall was cracked, punched by a student who lacerated his hand, deputies say. One student told detectives that Clarke provoked the situation by making disparaging remarks at him.

Another assistant coach told responding deputies that Clarke had the chance to de-escalate the situation when students admitted to making the posts but instead walked up to a student and punched him.

Deputies later found Clarke in a locked locker room door sitting on the floor with his legs crossed and the lights off.

In a message to parents on Tuesday, Principal Tavures Williams confirmed Clarke’s arrest.

“Law enforcement immediately investigated, and the individual is now facing criminal charges,” Williams wrote. “He will also no longer serve as an assistant football coach at our school – this was his only position on our campus.”

Jail records show Clarke was booked into Broward County’s Main Jail Tuesday. He is charged with eight counts of child abuse without great bodily harm.

“The employee in question is being reassigned as we review the matter for further action, up to and including termination,” John J. Sullivan, the district’s chief communications officer, said in a statement. “We are deeply disturbed by this incident, as the safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority.”

Not his first fight with students?

Following Clarke’s arrest, Broward Schools Police learned of a separate video showing him fighting with students in a bathroom earlier this month at Monarch High School, where they say he worked as a campus monitor. That incident was not reported when it occurred.

Clarke has been employed with Broward County Public Schools since December 2024. The district is reviewing both incidents and says further action, including termination, is possible.

This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM.