River Rouge, MI – Former Belleville High School football coach Jermain Crowell was arrested and briefly jailed over the weekend for violating probation related to a prior operating while intoxicated (OWI) incident. Records show Crowell was booked on February 14 at 9:33 a.m. and released just after midnight on February 17. His recent issues stem from failing to attend mandated alcohol and drug screenings in October and November of 2024.
Crowell’s hiring as River Rouge’s head football coach in January brought him back into the coaching scene in Michigan after a contentious period. He was fired from Belleville in 2022 and received a suspension from the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) for violating recruitment rules. The MHSAA’s investigation was prompted by allegations that Crowell had contacted a player from Detroit Martin Luther King High School when the player was an incoming freshman and provided transportation to summer activities.
During the time of Crowell’s suspension, Belleville went on to win the Division 1 state championship in 2022. Crowell had previously led the team to a championship and was enjoying an undefeated season at the time of his suspension. Subsequently, he was dismissed from Belleville and barred from coaching through the 2024-25 school year.
In light of his hiring at River Rouge, the MHSAA agreed to allow Crowell to coach with certain conditions. A meeting with River Rouge’s coaching staff is scheduled, along with a tracking system for any transfer students who were not previously enrolled at River Rouge. These measures are in place to ensure compliance with MHSAA regulations and to promote responsible coaching conduct.
