Nick Johnson was the track coach at Huntington University, a conservative evangelical school in Huntington, Indiana. The track team excelled and won national championships and other recognition. However, there was an extensive record of sexual abuse and the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs)
Two runners filed a federal suit alleging sexual abuse and forcible injection of unknown drugs. Johnson acknowledged having sexual relations with runners he coached, although he claimed these abusive relationships were consensual. This is at a university that requires previous clearance of music before it can be played at a dance.
In 2020, he was charged with felonies after he presented himself as an official at the University of Oregon to lure a high school student for a “recruiting trip” where he and the high schooler stayed in hotels in Portland and Eugene. He pled guilty to identity deception and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He was banned by US SafeSport and fired by the University, but when he left students were required to write positive thoughts about their relationship with him. Then the University appointed his wife to his job, leaving him still in position to influence and interact with students.
He told students the University was participating in drug trial and used that as a pretense for injected PEDs, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit also alleges that he raped at least one student and had improper sexual activity with another. Since they were over 18, Indianan law does nothing, though many states consider it a criminal offense for a person in a position of authority to have a sexual relationship with someone over whom they have power. In March 2023, he was charged with sexual battery in regard to another student. On June 2nd, the judge overseeing his case denied his request for a change of venue.
The school is also party to the suit which alleges they were indifferent to the students’ welfare.
Indiana does not allow partisan registration so his political ideology is inferred by his choice to work at a very conservative Christian university and living in the Third Congressional District where Democrats get less than a third of the vote.
- Indianapolist Star: Christian college coach created a culture of doping and sex, star runners allege
- Indianapolis Star: Nick Johnson, coach fired by Huntington University, facing new felony sexual battery count
- FISM TV: Runners accuse former Christian university coach of sexual assault
- WISH TV: Sex abuse, unknown injections: Former athletes allege ‘Nassaresque’ treatment at Indiana Christian college
Indianapolis, Indiana · Wednesday, March 29, 2023