A former Cape Coral coach’s attorney is speaking on his behalf after , resulting in his resignation.
Tyler Murphy, a former Cape Coral High School coach and gym teacher, has not responded to WINK Investigates’ numerous calls, texts, and Facebook messages requesting an interview.
Murphy’s attorney, Victor Arias, spoke with WINK News off-camera, defending his client against the allegations.
He said Murphy has a valid reason for not responding to WINK Investigates calls and texts.
“Mr. Murphy is most concerned about the students and athletes’ mental and physical well-being,” Arias said in a statement over email. “He does not want to make any statements that will negatively impact them.”
Arias claims school administrators ambushed Murphy with an ultimatum: resign or be fired.
He called it “an ambush and bullying tactic” and says Murphy was not given a chance to defend himself.
Lee County School District’s Director of Strategic Communication Rob Spicker tells WINK Investigates they have a different perspective.
“Mr. Murphy was a probationary employee as defined by law,” Spicker said in a statement. “Probationary contract employees may be dismissed without cause or may resign without breach of contract.”
In an exclusive interview, the parent also told WINK Investigates she believes her son was benched in retaliation after her relationship with Murphy ended.
Spicker said the district could not verify this claim.
Arias said that accusation is “false.”
Spicker says the school district reviewed text messages from the parent, who claims they prove she had sex with Murphy on the high school’s campus.
According to Spicker, Murphy confirmed to the district the texts were authentic.
Arias argues the texts were “purely fantasy talk” and denied any sexual activity occurred on campus.
WINK Investigates is committed to providing you updates on this story as we learn more.