‘A father figure for these boys’: Dunbar parents support football coach, school cop under federal investigation

The boys of Dunbar High School’s championship football team were preparing Friday night for a pre-season scrimmage the next morning when the news spread among the team. Federal authorities were investigating their popular, longtime football coach, Lawrence Smith, over his timecards and possible overtime fraud, news articles reported. FBI agents had visited the payroll office of Baltimore school headquarters. The boys showed the articles to their moms. “It would be a huge loss to the community. I’m hoping it’s not the case,” said Nkenge Williams, the mother of a sophomore lineman. “I’m staying positive and hoping nothing shakes out.”