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CHARDON, Ohio — Lou Cirino, a former head football coach at both West Geauga and Strongsville High School, appeared in Geauga County Court of Common Pleas Monday for his arraignment on sexual misconduct charges.
The 40-year-old Cirino entered a plea of not guilty to charges of sexual battery and gross sexual imposition. Bond was set at $10,000 with an order for Cirino not to have any contact with the alleged victim.
Cirino’s case will be heard by Geauga County Court of Common Pleas Judge David Ondrey.
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According to court documents obtained by 3News, a grand jury indicted Cirino for sexual battery that allegedly occurred between Dec. 21, 2009, and Dec. 20, 2010. The incidents occurred in Geauga County while he was employed at West Geauga High School, including during the 2010 season as head coach of the Wolverines.
Additionally, the 40-year-old is accused of gross sexual imposition between Dec. 21, 2004, and Dec. 20, 2005. The indictment states that the victim was under the age of 13 at the time of the offense.
The grand jury specified Cirino as a “sexually violent predator” in each of the charges.
WATCH: You can see the arraignment of Lou Cirino on Monday in the player below:
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Chester Township police told 3News that they received the allegations involving Cirino in December 2023. On Dec. 4, Strongsville City Schools announced that Cirino would not be returning as the high school’s head coach for the 2024 season, as the school was “going in a different direction with the SHS football program.”
Cirino led West Geauga to a 47-27 record from 2010-16, but was let go by Strongsville following a lackluster 31-38 mark across seven seasons, including back-to-back 3-8 campaigns in his final two years. Four days after his firing as coach, the school announced it had placed a staff member on leave “as a result of allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a student when the individual was employed by another school district.”
Though he is no longer head coach, Cirino is still technically employed by Strongsville City Schools. He is on unpaid administrative leave.
3News’ Tyler Carey and Anna Meyer contributed to this report.
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