CHARLESTON, S.C. — A high school football coach was fired because of postgame victory celebrations the district superintendent said involved players smashing watermelons and making ape-like sounds.

A board member said the parent of an opposing player was offended by the celebrations by the mostly white Academic Magnet High School football team.

After victories the team would gather and a face was drawn on a watermelon with eyes and a nose and a smile showing a mouthful of teeth. While two players smashed the watermelon, others made chanting sounds.