Cooper Henderson, Artesia High School's longtime head football coach and athletic director, didn't appear in court Wednesday but through his attorney entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of battery on a 15-year-old student, the Roswell Daily Record reported.

Henderson was charged in connection with an incident in which 15-year-old student Michael Perez was removed from the stands at a March 1 basketball game between Artesia and Goddard High School in Roswell, according to the Daily Record.

The boy's mother, Yolanda Perez, filed a criminal complaint alleging that Henderson grabbed her son by his jersey and pulled him up "in his face," the paper reported.

Perez was one of three boys removed from the stands by Goddard High School security, the Daily Record said.

While Goddard High School officials wouldn't comment on the incident, Artesia Public Schools Superintendent Mike Phipps told the paper that the boys were yelling obscenities.

Phipps also said the school supports Henderson, the Daily Record said.

Henderson has coached football at Artesia for 19 years, winning 11 state championships, the paper reported. 

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