Stewarts Creek gym teacher dies after medical incident at school, Smyrna police say

A Stewarts Creek High School teacher died Sunday at the school, Smyrna police confirmed Monday.

Maurice Grooms, weight-lifting coach and physical education teacher, likely died of what police are calling a "medical incident," SPD reported. He was found unresponsive in the school's parking lot on Sunday afternoon next to his car and pronounced dead at the scene.

“We are all shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our well-loved teacher and coach Maurice Grooms,” Stewarts Creek High Principal Clark Harrell said in a statement released by SPD. “I know all of our staff, students and community will keep his family in their prayers.”

Grooms joined the faculty in August, according to the release.

He would sometimes exercise in the weight room at the school, which is the presumed reason for him visiting the school Sunday, according to Harrell's comments.

"Maurice was a true servant leader," SCHS head football coach Ben Caudill told The Tennessean. "I'll always remember him for just how much of a servant leader he was and how he really had a genuine care for all of those he had the pleasure of working with on a day to day basis.

"Truly a mentor coach, and we're all we're all better for having known Maurice."

The Rutherford County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct a routine investigation, the release indicated.

Rutherford County Schools plans to have additional counselors at the school Tuesday to assist students and employees, the release said.

Funeral details were not immediately available on Monday afternoon.

"Maurice was really, really well respected within the Middle Tennessee coaching community and it's been awesome to see the comments and love roll in," Caudill said.

Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Stewarts Creek gym teacher dies after medical incident at school