Prominent California youth coach arrested on allegations of sexual assault involving minors

The Santa Ana Police Department arrested former youth coach Chris Flores on Thursday and held him on $500,000 bail, reported KTLA-TV. Flores is accused of sexually assaulting at least two underage girls.

The 37-year-old was a prominent coach and athletic trainer in southern California. To his students, he was known as "Coach Frogg." Flores worked at Sports Training and Rehabilitation Services Preparatory Academy, where he coached young students.

Police launched an investigation into Flores when two young girls accused him of sexual assault.

A 14-year-old girl reported that she met Flores at STARS Preparatory Academy, where he was her coach. She alleges that Flores abused her for a year.

"Flores sexually assaulted her multiple times throughout the year in 2021," authorities said.

The report stated, "The victim reported numerous incidents occurring in the cities of Anaheim and Santa Ana. The STARS Preparatory Academy held a training program on the campus of Calvary Chapel High School in Santa Ana where several of these assaults were reported to have occurred."

KTLA-TV received a recording of an alleged conversation between the victim and Flores. During the phone call, the man pressured the child to go on a date with him, and he questioned if she had deleted their text messages. The man asks, "Sure you got rid of everything?"

WABC-TV reported that the recording also included the man attempting to coordinate a time to meet up with the child. He said, "What the hell? We never get to chill and now you don't want to go and you're about to start school." He continued, "We talked about this dude, you've got to stop with the nos."

A 15-year-old victim also reported to authorities that Flores abused her.

According to ESPN, Flores was charged with raping a 21-year-old woman in 2009, but he was found not guilty on all charges.

Flores coached many high-profile college and NFL football players, including Clemson starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. Dave, Uiagalelei's father, accused Flores of acting inappropriately towards one of his family members. He stated that Flores had "tried to do that to my niece" a couple of years ago.

"I just pray that this time around, that all the victims that haven't come forward — because we know there's more — I pray that you guys understand that coming forward is the best thing you can do to stop a predator like this man," David said.

Edward Welbourn, Flores's attorney, said the allegations against his client are shocking. He stated, "He absolutely denies any sort of inappropriate relationship or contact with any current or former athlete or student he's trained. All he's tried to do is help kids and move them on in their lives and their careers."

Since the arrest, Flores was terminated from his position with STARS.