Photo Courtesy Syracuse.com
Lowell High Football Coach Shyheim Cullen is under investigation over an incident that led to one of his players being injured during practice last week.
Officials at the high school and school department have been tight-lipped about the situation thus far, but sources familiar with what occurred tell InsideLowell that Cullen was participating in a drill with a player, which led to that unidentified young man suffering an upper body injury serious enough to require a trip to the hospital.
InsideLowell has also learned that Lowell Police are investigating the incident and spoke with the player’s family last night.
When asked whether Cullen has been placed on Administrative Leave or been removed from the post, the Lowell School Department released a statement saying “the coach has not been placed on leave. Beyond that we cannot comment on personnel issues, but the district is currently investigating and addressing the matter as we gather further information.”
Cullen was named Red Raiders Head Coach in March of 2022, replacing Rob Pike. He was a star player at LHS, garnering Merrimack Valley Conference Player of the Year honors in 2013 and twice being named to the All-State team. He played Division 1 college ball at Syracuse from 2016-2018, eventually returning to serve two years as an Assistant Coach under Pike, before being named his successor.
Lowell High currently sports a 1-3 record on the season after losing at Tewksbury last Friday night. They are scheduled to play again Thursday night at Chelmsford, but who exactly will be calling the shots on the sidelines is still undetermined.
8 responses to “Questions Surround Lowell High Football Coach’s Future”
First off why would y’all use this picture of him from high school(could have used a much more presentable picture). On top of that I feel like y’all are trying to paint a picture of him that is totally fails. Things happen in football all the time, injuries will occur. I know Coach Cullen he is a brother to me. I know he would never do anything to harm any of his players. He loves the city of Lowell, his team and everyone in his program. The truth will come to light.
Using an old photo, clearly to paint a picture of him that he is not. No comment from the coach on his standpoint either. Interesting how it’s never posed that this was most likely an accident. Football especially is a contact sports in which the players frequently get hurt. The coaches almost always participate in particles and drills to COACH the kids, again clearly an accident. No confirmation if the coach knew of the injury either. I’m more interested in the fact that a Lowell media website is writing biased and one sided articles about one of their own! Disappointing InsideLowell and the writer Teddy Panos.
Post a current photo of him as a professional coach not a player. You play football, injuries are a part of the game. Unlikely it was intentional in any way. People should reserve judgment until the facts come out.
Always appreciate everyone’s feedback.
Regarding the picture, it’s one used by Lowell High to promote him as a coach, not a player. (The second picture is one from what is believed to be college)
As for passing judgment or presenting a biased account, the report does none of the above. It presents the facts currently known; how/when the injury occurred and that an investigation is taking place. Judgment is not rendered by the reporting or by any official entity. If/when that occurs, it will be reported what any decision is and what any potential fallout is. Coach Cullen will also be provided opportunity to present his story fully by this site.
The second picture is from high school or college, again not painting him as a professional nor a coach. There are plenty of other photos like the first one that you could’ve chosen, you chose a photo with his shirt up and muscles out. I’m aware writers are great at framing an idea they’d like to convey while saying they’re just “stating facts.” To lead and end with questioning his future, without providing any positive note. You made sure to ask about administrative leave though, but not one comment portraying this to be a double faceted situation. You left out any positive comment anyone might have said about him, reassuring you that he would never intentionally hurt anyone. Again, disappointing and negative reviews for Inside Lowell and especially Teddy Panos, someone claiming to be from the area but forcing a wedge between the people of Lowell.
In this situation saying accidents happen in football all the time is ridiculous. A coach should not put pads on and play hard enough to break a kids sternum. You’re right he didn’t intend on hurting the kid but a man going against a child and going all out warrants punishment. He may care about his team but he should be fired. Lowell High is going to have to shell out some money for this unfortunate situation
hi John, maybe keep your dumbass comments to yourself when you don’t know that facts. He wasn’t in pads you’re making ridiculous assumptions based off of nothing. There is a reason the school hasn’t suspended him and nothing has come from the investigation. Karen behavior.
Hey Mike… speaking of dumbass comments. So he wasn’t wearing pads and broke a kids sternum? Nothing has come from the investigation because I’m assuming the child’s mother being a lawyer there’s a lawsuit being filed. Love how your thinking about the poor coach but not thinking about the poor kid. Hey thanks for responding though.