JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A former head boys basketball coach at Englewood High School was arrested Thursday in Clay County and accused of five felony counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
According to a news release from Duval County Public Schools, Paul McPherson was also accused of three misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and a misdemeanor count of possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
Englewood High Principal Marleny Chirino said in a note to parents that McPherson, who was also a security guard at the school, was reassigned from the school to district duties with no student contact on Sept. 5 following the initial allegations.
“While the presumption of innocence applies, I feel that it is important for you to know this has transpired. If you have information that you think might be helpful to law enforcement on this matter, I encourage you to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office directly,” Chirino said.
According to Basketball-reference.com, McPherson is from Chicago and played one season in the NBA for three different teams during the 2000-01 season.
McPherson, 45, was hired by Englewood to become its coach in 2022.
Copyright 2023 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
