CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Harrison County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin anticipates the resignation of Bridgeport High football coach Josh Nicewarner, who is facing two felony charges related to soliciting and seducing a minor.
Manchin made the announcement during an appearance on MetroNews “Talkline,” citing discussions between school administrators and the Nicewarner family. Nicewarner was a physical education teacher at Liberty High School in addition to his coaching duties at Bridgeport, where he helped build the Indians into a Class AA dynasty.
Manchin decided Friday to suspend Nicewarner without pay, the same day warrants were served alleging the 34-year-old coach sent obscene messages and at least one video to a 14-year-old girl.
“I later was made aware that he had confessed, so at that time, I had said that I will be recommending to the Harrison County Board of Education tomorrow night that Mr. Nicewarner be terminated from his employment with the Harrison County Board of Education,” Manchin said.
Regardless of whether he resigns or is terminated, Manchin said Nicewarner will no longer be employed by Harrison County Schools.
“For all intents and purposes, he will not be back on campus, and he will not be able to interact with students,” he said.
Nicewarner could face up to 15 years in prison.
Manchin said no one in the school system knew about the allegations until Harrison County prosecutor Rachel Romano called Friday afternoon.
“She informed me of what the allegations were, and of course I was shocked,” he said. “Coaches, teachers, administrators, nobody had a clue.”
Manchin called Nicewarner’s actions “such terrible and reckless behavior.”
Nicewarner coached Bridgeport to state titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He was named state coach of the year in 2013 by the West Virginia Coaches Association.
He is accused of distributing obscene matter to a 14-year-old girl between May 1 and July 18.
“For the life of me, I just don’t understand why somebody would participate in such reckless behavior, knowing full well this is going to become public and you’re entire life is ruined,” Manchin said.
Claiming the arrest should not be a stain on either school, Manchin said administrators will “do all we can to assure this never happens again.”
Nicewarner’s preliminary hearing in Harrison County Magistrate Court is set for Aug. 8.