KENNESAW — Former Harrison High School head football coach Marty Galbraith was being investigated on allegations of inappropriate conduct when he resigned from his post on Oct. 24, the Journal has learned.

According to documents obtained by the Journal through an Open Records request, at least six female administrators, teachers and associates at Harrison complained to school administrators about Galbraith being “over flirtatious,” or, in the most extreme cases, making lewd sexual gestures or making “unwelcome and unsolicited contact.”

When reached for comment, Galbraith offered only a statement.

“I resigned because I thought it was in the best interest of the kids and the (football) program,” he said. “The allegations are greatly exaggerated, and I deny any serious wrongdoing.”

The MDJ reviewed a recorded interview conducted by Cobb County School District investigators and Harrison principal Donnie Griggers with Galbraith. The former Harrison coach said he was “blindsided” by the allegations, saying, “I’d never do anything to harm (the administrators, teachers and/or associates), or make them uncomfortable, but obviously I have.”

Staff members reported two incidents to school officials the week before Galbraith resigned. In the first, around noon on Oct. 16 in one of the high school hallways, Galbraith allegedly directed a gesture simulating oral sex to a female teacher.

During the interview, Galbraith initially denied making the gesture, but when confronted with the fact it was on video, he said he didn’t know why he did it and agreed it was inappropriate.

In the second incident, which occurred in late September but wasn’t reported until after the Oct. 16 accusation, Galbraith allegedly entered a conference room where an administrator was sitting, put his hands on her shoulders, said, “Good, there are no cameras in this room,” and kissed her neck.

The 62-year old Galbraith admits putting his hands on the administrator’s shoulder, but denies that he kissed her.

Written statements regarding the complaints were signed Oct. 22, Galbraith had the interview with investigators and was put on paid administrative leave the following day, and he submitted his resignation Oct. 24.

Other complaints regarding Galbraith’s “over flirtatious” behavior accused him of putting his arm around a female teacher on several occasions, telling her she was “bad and needed a spanking,” telling another staff member that if she were not married the two of them would get together, and looking at a staff member’s backside as she walked past him.

Galbraith was hired by Harrison last spring after a national search to replace former Hoyas’ coach David Hines. This was Galbraith’s third high school job in Cobb County. In 1994, he was an assistant coach at Pope before becoming the head coach at Lassiter a year later. In three seasons with the Trojans, Galbraith posted a 19-11 record.

He coached the Hoyas’ first seven games of this season and had a record of 4-3 before his resignation.

Bruce Cobleigh assumed the head coaching job on an interim basis and coached Harrison’s final three games.

Before returning to Cobb County, Galbraith had spent many years as a college and professional assistant coach. His last job before Harrison was a six-year stint as a special teams coach for the Tennessee Titans.