Celina ISD Athletic Director and Middle School Principal Resign Amid Controversy Over Schoolchildren’s Safety Investigation
Celina ISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Bill Elliott and Moore Middle School Principal Allison Ginn resigned on Wednesday following widespread criticism from parents and state lawmakers over the district’s handling of an investigation into schoolchildren’s safety concerns.
The resignations came amid fallout from an investigation into Elliott’s son, Caleb Elliott, who faces multiple charges of sexual abuse involving students in the district. Lawmakers and parents have criticized the district for allowing the officials to step down rather than face formal disciplinary action.
State Rep. Jeff Leach, who has advocated on behalf of the affected students, publicly criticized Elliott’s departure, saying, “Years of abuse and misconduct happened under his watch, and the board is allowing him to resign instead of firing him. Not just no, but hell no.” State Rep. Matt Shaheen also questioned why Elliott was permitted to retire rather than be terminated.
In a letter to Moore Middle School families, the district expressed appreciation for Ginn’s service as principal. Ginn herself wrote, “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside such a passionate staff. I wish the students and staff continued success and hope they see even greater achievements in the years ahead.” Her resignation came just two days after several community members, including her own children, attended a school board meeting advocating for her return.
The departure of Bill Elliott has drawn mixed reactions from the Celina community. Some residents expressed relief, while others felt retirement was insufficient given the circumstances surrounding his family. Former Celina football player and NFL lineman Jordan Roos said, “I don’t know where my football career would be if I didn’t have him in my life. The amount of dedication and sacrifice he had to shape young men is pretty amazing.”
The resignations followed the release of a third-party investigation into Caleb Elliott’s alleged misconduct. The investigation found no evidence that district employees were aware of or ignored prior allegations. Caleb Elliott, a former teacher and coach at Moore Middle School, was arrested in October 2025 after allegations emerged that he had secretly recorded students and coerced them into sexual acts. Investigators reportedly recovered explicit photos and videos from his phone and discovered a recording device in a locker room.
Bill Elliott had been on paid, non-disciplinary leave since his son’s arrest. In October, he publicly apologized to the community during a school board meeting, saying, “I want you to know how sorry I am, and my family is. I understand your anger. I understand your frustration. I get it, it’s horrible.”
In announcing his retirement, Celina ISD shared Elliott’s statement: “Over the past 33 years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to create lasting memories and build meaningful relationships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am deeply grateful to Celina ISD for the support and trust extended to me throughout my career, and I wish the district continued success in all its future endeavors.”
Despite the district’s statements of appreciation, the resignations have drawn political scrutiny. State Rep. Mitch Little, representing several of the alleged victims, criticized the timing, calling it “chapter one of the how-to cover up a scandal handbook.” Families of affected students have filed lawsuits alleging Caleb Elliott abused students and claiming the district should have recognized warning signs.
While the district maintains it had no prior knowledge of Caleb Elliott’s misconduct, the third-party investigator interviewed 39 witnesses and found no evidence that employees failed to report concerns. Still, critics argue the investigation lacked transparency, as some families were not contacted, and they continue to call for the full, unredacted report. Celina ISD says a redacted version will be released by the end of the week.
