RINGLING, Okla. (KTEN) — Ringling head football coach and high school principal Philip Koons has been placed on paid administrative leave.

The move follows allegations by former Ringling student athletes that Koons verbally harassed and bullied them.

The report was confirmed by Oklahoma State Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Ryan Walters in a written statement:

"Phil Koons of Ringling Public Schools has officially been put on paid administrative leave while an ongoing criminal investigation about the allegations and concerns brought against him is completed. We will continue to monitor the investigation as we have since the beginning, and support Superintendent Kent Southward’s decision."

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is now leading the probe into the allegations against Koons.

Just last week, the Ringling Public Schools Board of Education voted to rehire Koons as high school principal.