FLORENCE — Lauderdale County High School football coach Bob Grisham has been suspended without pay for anti-gay and derogatory comments about first lady Michelle Obama that he made last week to students.

The suspension of Grisham, who led the Tigers to the state semifinals last season, is for 10 days. He must also attend sensitivity training for four days and will be removed from teaching the fifth period psychology course for the remainder of the school year.

School board members met in executive session Monday afternoon before announcing the action. They declined comment and ended the meeting.

Grisham, who teaches psychology and driver’s education, was taped by a student in his class as he discussed Michelle Obama and gays. The 1 minute, 24 second-long audio tape went public Jan. 27 in a TimesDaily article.

Grisham said he was in a debate-type situation at the time and misspoke. He described the first lady as “fat butt Michelle Obama,” and voiced his dislike for “queers” several times.

Since the story and recording went public, support for Grisham, particularly from within the Rogersville community, has been circulated on social sites, while some have called for his termination.