North Texas quarterbacks coach Tate Wallis resigned a week after being arrested for allegedly having an improper relationship with a high school student.
“Tate Wallis has offered his resignation and we have accepted,” the school said in a statement Thursday.
North Texas placed Wallis on leave following his Sept. 3 arrest in Denton County, Texas, on charges related to his previous position as an assistant football coach at Argyle High School. The alleged incidents involved improper contact with a student manager on the sidelines at practices and during games in October and December of 2019, according to the arrest affidavit.
The female student was 16 at the time, per the affidavit.
Wallis faces two felony counts of having an improper relationship between an educator and a student. He was freed on $20,000 bond, according to jail records.
The Denton Record-Chronicle obtained a copy of his resignation letter through an open records request.
“It has been a privilege to be a part of this football program. Thank you for the opportunity to coach a fine group of players,” Wallis wrote.
“I appreciate the support I have received from our community. At this time, I believe it is in my best interest to step down from my position to focus on my family and defending the allegations that have been made against me. I look forward to clearing my name. I value this organization and I don’t want my upcoming legal battle to be a distraction to the players, coaches and University of North Texas Supporters.”
Wallis was hired by UNT in January. Before that, he worked as an assistant coach at Baylor from 2009-15 and spent four seasons as a high school coach at North Forney (2016-17) and Argyle (2018-19).
