Centennial Football Coach Jay Graham Arrested in Minor Prostitution Sting

The Jay Graham era for Centennial High School football is in question after the head football coach and former NFL running back was arrested in a Wednesday prostitution sting involving fictional teens.

Graham, 50 years old and legally named Herman Jason Graham III, was charged with patronizing prostitution with a minor and solicitation of a minor for aggravated statutory rape in a joint Metro Nashville Police Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation sting.

According to MNPD, he attempted to pay for sex with an undercover officer posing as a 16-year-old girl in an online ad.

“Graham is alleged to have responded to one of those ads and then engaged in a text conversation with an undercover officer who was posing as a juvenile,” an MNPD news release reads.

“During the conversation, the undercover officer said that she was 16. The two agreed upon a price of $120 for sex. Graham responded to a Nashville hotel room, gave the female undercover officer $120, and was immediately taken into custody.”

Graham was booked into the Davidson County Jail on a $45,000 bond.

Earlier this year, the University of Tennessee alum was hired to lead CHS’s football team after passing a required TBI background check that Williamson County Schools said showed no criminal history.

Graham played in the NFL for four seasons with Baltimore, Seattle and Green Bay. He has also served as an assistant coach at Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee-Martin, Miami (Ohio), South Carolina, Florida State, Texas A&M, Alabama and East Tennessee State from 2005 through 2024 before switching to the high school ranks.

On Thursday morning, WCS Executive Director of Communications Carol Birdsong told the Williamson Scene that Graham has been fired from his coaching position, suspended without pay from his teaching position and is not allowed on campus.

CHS Principal Dr. Clarissa Haymon and school leadership will meet with the football team on Thursday morning, and counselors are available for students as needed.

"Law enforcement has not indicated that there should be any concern for Centennial families; however, we encourage anyone with information or concerns to share that with law enforcement," the district said in an email.

Two other men, Aaron Barnack, 46, of Erin, Tenn., and Anthony Proctor, 20, of Hermitage, were also arrested on the same charges.

This story was updated with a statement from WCS after publication.