The Rankin County School District on Monday ended the contract of Northwest Rankin High School Athletic Director David Coates who faces a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to sell or distribute.

Coates, who also served as football coach, had been under suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.

A statement from the district said Northwest Rankin’s assistant principal, Kalvin Robinson, has been named interim athletic director while school administrators begin the search for a replacement.

“We are saddened by the circumstances surrounding Coach Coates’ termination. Educators are, and should be, held to a higher standard. When those standards are not met, there are consequences,” the district said in the statement.

Coates, 55, had coached at the school for 19 seasons. Earlier this month, he and his college-age son were among four people charged in a 10-month investigation into the distribution of Ecstasy, LSD and marijuana.

Coates’ son, Joseph Coates, 21, a student at the University of Mississippi, was charged with sale of MDMA — the main ingredient in Ecstasy, and possession of narcotics.

Also charged in the investigation are Ole Miss student Mary Jane Miranda, 23, and Marc Frank Davis, 54, of Greely, Colo. Each was charged with the sale of MDMA.