A former teacher and football coach at Rolesville High School, who is currently on the football staff at Duke University, is facing a civil lawsuit filed by a female high school student. She claims that he sexually abused her at Rolesville High last year. Ranier Rackley and the Wake County Board of Education are named as defendants in this lawsuit, which states that the alleged abuse occurred on November 14 at the high school. According to the Wake County Public School System, Rackley did not teach or coach from November 18 until his resignation on June 15. He has been employed since 2017 and continued to receive payment during this period. Rackley, who guided Rolesville to the state title games in 2024, joined the Duke football staff in April as the director of player development.
Neither Rackley nor his attorney responded promptly to media requests for comments. In a statement to WRAL, Duke Athletics mentioned, "Ranier Rackley is not currently working with the team. This is a confidential personnel matter, and we cannot comment any further."
The Rolesville Police Department looked into a reported incident of "sexual offense — molestation" at the high school on November 14, as detailed in a police report. WRAL obtained the report, which indicated that the case was deemed "unfounded" on January 12. Rackley did not face any criminal charges related to this incident. The unnamed alleged victim, born in 2010, is mentioned in the lawsuit, which claims that she "had to transfer to another school, causing disruption to her academics and strain on her family and her personal relationships." The lawsuit further alleges that Rackley was "known around Rolesville High School to be overly affectionate and touchy with other female students," and it claims that he groped the student's breasts and buttocks during school hours.
The student is seeking a jury trial along with financial compensation.
Photo Courtesy of The Wake Weekly
Ranier Rackley. Photo Courtesy of The Wake Weekly