Cheltenham Hazing Scandal
Cheltenham High coaches and players charged in hazing; football seasons canceled
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Key Points
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Four Cheltenham High School football coaches were named by the Montgomery County DA: head coach Terance Tolbert; associate head coach Darian 'D.J.' McFadden; assistant coach Benjamin Johnson III; and volunteer coach Ralph Burnley. The two 18-year-old players, Isaiah Simpson and Josiah Peeler, are charged as adults (Simpson with assault and conspiracy; Peeler with false swearing), while the other four students under 18 are charged as juveniles.
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The district suspended the 2025 football season and canceled the upcoming season for junior and varsity teams due to a toxic culture and hazing, with reports that the program’s final two games were forfeited as a result of the actions.
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Prosecutors’ quotes highlight the seriousness of the case: DA Kevin Steele said, 'The assaults on this victim were not the typical goofing around... They were crimes,' underscoring that investigators pursued anyone involved in crimes, not just players or coaches.
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Superintendent Brian Scriven emphasized accountability and support for the victim and family, stating in a community letter that 'No student should ever experience violence or fear in a school-related setting' and that those responsible are being held to account.
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Employment status of the accused coaches remained unclear at the time of charges, with DA spokeswoman indicating they did not know whether the coaches were still affiliated with the district; other media reports later indicated they were no longer affiliated.
Four Cheltenham High School football coaches and six players now face criminal charges after a hazing attack left a sophomore stomped with cleats and struck with a broomstick inside the locker room, according to ABC News. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced the charges following a six-month grand jury investigation into two separate 2025 locker room incidents.
The fallout has been severe. The school district suspended the 2025 football season mid-year and canceled the upcoming junior varsity and varsity seasons entirely, citing a toxic culture in the program, Yahoo News reported.
Coaches and Players Named in Criminal Charges
DA Steele named four coaches in the case: head coach Terance Tolbert, associate head coach Darian 'D.J.' McFadden, assistant coach Benjamin Johnson III, and volunteer coach Ralph Burnley, according to ABC News. Two 18-year-old players, Isaiah Simpson and Josiah Peeler, are charged as adults. Simpson faces assault and conspiracy charges. Peeler faces false swearing charges.
Four other players under 18 are charged as juveniles. All charges stem from two locker room incidents in 2025. Charges against the coaches include endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy, WFMZ reported.
A Brutal Attack the DA Called Outright Crimes
Steele was direct about the severity of what happened. 'The assaults on this victim were not the typical goofing around,' he said. 'They were crimes.' The victim, a sophomore, was stomped with cleats and struck with a broomstick during the attack, NY Post reported.
Steele made clear that investigators pursued everyone involved, not just players. The case took six months to build through a grand jury process. Prosecutors say adults in the program had a duty to protect the student and failed to do so.
School District Cancels Season, Vows Accountability
Cheltenham's school district took swift action after the incidents came to light. The program forfeited its final two games of the 2025 season. The district then canceled both the junior varsity and varsity seasons going forward, citing a toxic culture inside the football program, according to Yahoo News.
Superintendent Brian Scriven addressed the community directly. 'No student should ever experience violence or fear in a school-related setting,' he wrote in a letter to families. He said those responsible are being held to account and that the district stands behind the victim and family.
Coaches' Employment Status Uncertain After Charges Filed
At the time charges were announced, the DA's office was not sure whether the four coaches still worked for the district. A spokeswoman said prosecutors did not know their current employment status, ABC News reported. Later reports indicated all four are no longer affiliated with Cheltenham.
The case puts renewed focus on hazing in high school sports. It shows how quickly a toxic locker room culture can lead to serious criminal charges for coaches, not just players. Experts say coaches carry a legal duty to prevent abuse and protect student athletes in their care.
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