SPALDING COUNTY, GA – Carl Kearney Jr., the head varsity football coach at a Georgia high school, is currently in detention for reportedly strangling his partner, Patrina Best, to death. The arrest came in after he confessed to the act during a dispute at her residence in Maryland over the weekend.
Kearney, who held more than a coaching role within his community, was praised by a former team manager who described him as a father figure who had helped her during challenging times. News of his arrest came as a shock to everyone who knew Kearney.
This ordeal has brought forth past accusations against the coach. Reports indicate that Kearney faced charges relating to domestic violence in 2015 following his ex-wife’s claim that he slapped her. However, the charges were eventually dropped after the accuser showed unwillingness to prosecute him.
Lauding Kearney’s positive influence on her son, Lariquia McCord, a mother of one of Kearney’s former players, expressed her malaise at the news. She credited Kearney and his coaching team for her son’s academic and athletic success, resulting in a college enrollment.
Employed as the head coach since 2020, Kearney achieved an impressive record, leading the school to its first region title in 20 years with a 12-1 score last year. Kearney is expected to appear before a judge on Tuesday.
Unfortunately, attempts to reach the victim’s family and friends have so far been unsuccessful. In a series of social media posts, Best is remembered as a thoughtful woman and a former swim team member at Georgia Southern University.