The coach of a Texas high school jock that was allegedly stabbed to death by Karmelo Anthony sobbed as he recalled realizing the teen “was gone” just moments after the knifing.

Victim Austin Metcalf’s family was brought to tears as Frisco track and football coach Robert Starr recounted seeing a “commotion” at the Kuykendall Stadium on April 2, 2025, and going over to where the 17-year-old was on the ground, NBC 5 reported.

“His face is purple, and he has a big hole in his chest,” Starr testified at the first day of the murder trial against Anthony.

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Metcalf’s family openly cried in the gallery of the Collin County courthouse in McKinney as Starr spoke.

Anthony, now 19, is accused of stabbing Metcalf in the chest with a foldable knife over a dispute that began after Metcalf asked Anthony to move out from under his team’s tent.

Starr began to sob as he described going over to where trainers were trying to revive Metcalf before Metcalf’s twin, Hunter, pleaded with Starr to “do something,” as he pointed toward Anthony.

Starr went over to where Anthony was — but others told the upset coach to leave.

When Starr returned to Metcalf, everyone was praying and Starr and Hunter got on their knees and also prayed, he recalled.

“I just knew Austin was gone,” the coach said.

The next day, Starr sent a text to Metcalf saying, “I love you man. Sorry I didn’t say enough,” according to exhibits shown to the jury.

Mecalf’s dad, Jeff, wiped his eyes as the messages were shown.

The incident unfolded after Austin, a student at Frisco Memorial High School, told Anthony, who attended Frisco Centennial High School, to move away from their team area.

The pair allegedly shoved each other before Anthony stabbed Metcalf, a move he claims he made in self-defense.

Starr told the jury that he’d tasked Anthony – who was a discus and shot put thrower, as well as a football player – and a few other teammates with leading that day, which meant setting up the tent and moving equipment.

The coach explained that the tent “marks your spot” and said you don’t go under other team’s tents.

Athletic trainer Tiffany Whiteaker took the stand next, telling the jury about performing CPR while her partner did chest compressions until medics arrived.

Once he was given a transfusion, some color returned to Metcalf’s face which Whiteaker said gave her false hope — which was dispelled after she saw his chest wound.

Vincent Hooper, a coach from another school, told jurors next about holding Anthony to ensure he didn’t leave.

Hooper said Anthony told him, “He put his hands on me. I stabbed him.”

“You know, if he dies, you’ve changed your whole life,” Hooper said, according to a report by the Daily Mail.

The then 17-year-old didn’t believe Metcalf was going to die, Hooper recalled.

“He’s not going to die,” Hooper said Anthony told him.

“But if he does…” Hooper replied, prompting Anthony to start crying, he recalled.

Despite not knowing each other, the pair hugged, Hooper said.

The coach then called over Anthony’s coaches, he said.

Hooper also testified he had to stop another of Austin’s teammate from attacking Anthony.

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During opening statements, Anthony’s lawyer, Mike Howard, told the jury that a much larger Metcalf started the dispute with Anthony and that the knifing was purely to protect himself.

“What’s important to know is Melo is 5 foot 8 and 140 pounds. Hunter and Austin Metcalf are 6 foot 1 about 80 pounds heavier than Melo,” Howard claimed.

Anthony “remained seated, even when Austin and Hunter stood up,” the defense attorney said.

“It is uncontroverted that Austin makes the first physical contact. Austin grabs, punches, pushes. In that split second, Melo has a decision to make — how and when to act,” the defense attorney said.

But prosecutor Bill Wirskye told the jurors in his opening statements that Anthony carried out the “senseless” crime before ditching the knife and trying to flee the stadium.

“If you’re scared and running away in self-defense, why toss the knife?” Wirskye said.

Anthony has pleaded not guilty. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.