Nick Johnson Found Guilty By Jury, Sentencing Set For Oct. 17

By David Woods for DyeStat

Nick Johnson, a former track coach at Huntington University, has been convicted of sexual battery involving a woman on his team.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 17. The charge, a level 6 felony, carries a minimum sentence of six months and a maximum of 2 1/2 years. 

Those in Indiana convicted of sexual battery are required to register as sex offenders for at least 10 years after release from prison.

The trial began Wednesday morning in Huntington Superior Court in Huntington, Ind., and a verdict was announced at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. A jury of five women and three men started deliberating around 2:30. Johnson was indicted in March of 2023.

Jeremy Nix, the Huntington County prosecutor, told The Indianapolis Star:

“I'm glad that the jury was able to provide justice for the victim, and I hope it sends a message to other people who would use their position of authority to victimize people.

“These are always complex cases given the complex relationship between a coach and an athlete, so I'm glad that the jury was able to consider all of that evidence in reaching the verdict.”

James H. Voyles Jr., one of the attorneys for Johnson, declined to comment.

Johnson was the subject of a 2022 IndyStar investigation into the Christian university's running program that revealed a cult-like atmosphere centered around Johnson. There were allegations of sexual and physical abuse and pressure to submit to doping.

Under Johnson, Huntington featured two national champions in cross country, won a national team title in indoor track in 2020 and landed a recruiting commitment from Addy Wiley, the fastest high school miler in U.S. history.

Johnson was fired as HU coach in December 2020 after he was charged in another case. He pleaded guilty in 2022 to a felony charge of identity deception. In exchange, the prosecutor dropped child seduction and kidnapping charges. He served 30 days in jail, followed by 150 days on electronic monitoring.

The university replaced Johnson with his wife, Lauren, as coach.

Lauren Johnson has left the university and is coaching Wiley, a 20-year-old adidas pro. Wiley’s time of 1:56.83 in the 800 meters is fastest by an American this year and ranks No. 5 in the world.

Contact David Woods at dwoods1411@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.