On Oct. 17, a former U.S. collegiate cross-country coach was sentenced to one year in jail by a superior court judge in Huntington, Ind., following his conviction for sexual battery.
Nicholas Johnson served as the coach of the Huntington University cross-country program for three seasons before being fired in 2020. A 2022 IndyStar investigation exposed a cult-like atmosphere surrounding Johnson, with several former student-athletes alleging emotional and physical abuse. The athletes described troubling behaviours by Johnson, including pressure to engage in doping and inappropriate sexual conduct.
Johnson faced a charge of sexual battery, a Level 6 felony in Indiana, which carries a minimum penalty of six months and a maximum of 2.5 years in prison. He was sentenced to one year in jail, followed by a year of supervised probation, and was ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
One former Huntington University athlete testified that Johnson sexually assaulted her during a massage, which later led to a consensual relationship. According to a report from IndyStar, the victim described the experience as “an intolerable situation” that left her feeling like “she never had a choice.” She said Johnson’s texts were relentless and that, even four years later, she still struggles with anxiety.
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Huntington University terminated Johnson soon after the charges were filed. His wife, Lauren Johnson, was subsequently promoted to head coach of the school’s running programs, but was also dismissed in 2022 after the investigation revealed allegations of a doping program and further accusations of sexual battery and rape against her husband.
The sentencing coincides with the NAIA’s decision to suspend Huntington University’s cross-country programs from competition this year and place the entire athletics program on probation. While NAIA officials did not specify the reasons for the sanctions, Huntington University confirmed the sanctions were related to Johnson’s tenure at the school.
