Withrow head coach Ryan Drake was dismissed for insubordination (Photo: Cincinnati Enquirer)

A Cincinnati football coach was fired after his team’s first game of the season due to an argument with administrators about the eligibility of one of his student athletes. The trick is that the coach was right the entire time.

As reported by Cincinnati ABC affiliate WCPO, Withrow football coach Ryan Drake was relieved of his duties as the team’s head coach following his team’s 36-30 season-opening loss to Dunbar High out of Dayton. The dismissal had nothing to do with the game’s result, however. It was all about Drake’s insistence on using a student athlete the administration had warned him not to play.

After the game, the unnamed student athlete in question was reportedly deemed eligible by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, though that had little implication on Drake’s future. Instead, the coach was fired for insubordination.

“He unfortunately made a tough decision that should not have been made,” Cincinnati Public Schools Director of Athletics Josh Hardin told WCPO. “He was told multiple times not to play the player.

“Withrow AD Brandon Franke did his due diligence in following up with the OHSAA and doing everything he was supposed to. This was an unfortunate situation of a coach being insubordinate to administration.”

Drake’s sudden dismissal leaves Withrow in a lurch, though defensive coordinator Zach Davis has already been promoted to lead the team on an interim basis. He won’t get an easy entry, with Withrow scheduled to play crosstown rival Mason on Friday.