State champion Ben Davis basketball coach on leave after alleged assault on student in gym class

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — An Indianapolis mother says her son was punched in the mouth twice by his high school gym teacher.

Don Carlisle is also the head varsity coach of the state champion Ben Davis High School boys basketball team.

M.S.D. of Wayne Township says that Carlisle was placed on leave following a report of an assault by the physical education teacher on a 15-year-old 11th grade student on Sept. 6. The police report says the incident happened about 1:30 p.m., but the incident was not reported until the next day at about noon.

The student’s mother, who did not want to be identified yet, tells 13News that her son was changing shoes for gym class in the bleachers when Carlisle confronted him about not using the dressing room. She said Carlisle threw the boy’s slider shoe across the gym floor. The boy allegedly told Carlisle that the teacher should go get it.

The mother said Carlisle then punched the boy in the mouth and pushed him up against the bleachers. She said her son grabbed Carlisle’s necklace defending himself. The mother said Carlisle then pushed the boy to the ground and punched him in the mouth again.

M.S.D. of Wayne Township Schools issued a statement:

Back in March, Carlisle led the Ben Davis Giants to a perfect 33-0 season and a state championship win over Kokomo. This summer, Carlisle was selected for the honor of coaching the Indiana boys All-Star team against Kentucky. This winter would be his sixth year as the varsity coach at his alma mater.

He played college basketball at IUPUI and also played professionally.

13News contacted Carlisle by voice mail, text, email and multiple social media platforms for comment. Carlisle did not reply.

The mother said the incident happened in front of other students and perhaps teachers, as well. She believes the school has surveillance video of the incident.