Manitoba's independent teacher commissioner has launched an investigation into Grant Park High School varsity football head coach Doug Kovacs.
The probe, announced Tuesday, July 7, 2026, follows allegations of violent locker room hazing rituals during the 2025-26 school year.
Multiple sources confirmed that Kovacs was placed on leave from the Winnipeg school during the spring.
The Winnipeg School Division confirmed it sidelined an unnamed employee immediately after becoming aware of the matter.
An anonymous parent of a football player, contacted by the office of commissioner Noni Classen, described viewing highly disturbing video footage.
The videos showed player-on-player violence during team-organized "raves" where rookies were targeted.
"There's a lot of different red flags here," said the anonymous parent.
The parent stated that one video showed a teenager being beaten until his face was bloodied, while another showed a student being choked out by teammates.
"I'm really at a loss for how this was able to go on," added the parent.
Teacher commissioner Noni Classen, who oversees the province's online teacher registry, confirmed that an investigator is currently preparing a report on the active case.
Classen could not release specific details but called the investigation "good news" because concerns are being addressed.
The commissioner emphasized that the office is ensuring young witnesses are protected so they can speak openly to investigators.
It is important witnesses, particularly young people, "can trust in the process," Classen said.
Classen noted that her office remains heavily occupied with ongoing cases.
She added that teacher certificates are suspended during investigations "in the most serious of situations," based on public interest and safety.
A former colleague of Kovacs noted that the coach is known for an aggressive training style and using profanities during games.
"He's known for saying the words, 'Boys will be boys,'" a former colleague said.
The former coworker noted that such justifications are no longer acceptable in high school sports.
"And in 2026, those lines don't work anymore," the former colleague said.
Local sports organizations indicated they had no prior knowledge of the ongoing probe into the Grant Park football program.
"Football Manitoba is neither aware of nor participating in this investigation," said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of Football Manitoba.
Chad Falk of the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and the Manitoba Teachers' Society both declined to comment further on the active investigation.
Kovacs did not respond to requests for comment.
