The Hempstead ISD school board has voted to fire popular football coach Ricky Sargent.

His fate was hanging in the balance after leaving two students behind at a restaurant after a track meet.

Monday night, school board trustees met behind closed doors for more than three hours before taking action. They also voted to suspend four other coaches without pay for 30 days.

FOX 26 Sports Director Mark Berman interviewed Sargent by phone following the board's decision.

Sargent said leaving the two students is a decision he will regret for the rest of his life, but he is grateful for the opportunity to coach at Hempstead High School.

"I hate that it had to end this way, but when you make a mistake you have to live by it and learn from it," said Sargent.

"The school board had to do what they felt was right and what was in the best interest for the entire school district.

"I made a mistake and I am going to have to move on from it."

Sargent said he wishes he would have handled the situation differently.