(MIDDLETOWN, New Jersey) — Justin McGhee, the head girls basketball coach at Middletown North High School, was arrested Tuesday and faces charges related to child sexual assault, according to records from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office.
The 35-year-old coach, who also serves as an assistant football coach at the same school, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault by a supervisor of a victim between 16 and 17 years old, as well as endangering the welfare of a child through sexual conduct by a caretaker.
McGhee has been a prominent figure in high school sports, having taken up the role of head coach for the Lady Lions basketball team seven years ago. His tenure marked a significant turnaround for the team, earning respect across the Shore Conference for their unselfish play and team basketball, as noted by the basketball blog Nothing But Skills. “When Justin McGhee took over the Middletown North program, they were that other Middletown High School… These days Middletown North has earned the respect of everyone in the Shore Conference,” the blog wrote.
Beyond his coaching duties, McGhee has been an employee of the Middletown Board of Education since receiving his contract in January 2014 and also works as a speed and strength coach at Parisi Speed School in Manasquan. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Healthy and Physical Education/Fitness from Montclair State University in 2012, followed by a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Scranton in 2016.
With a personal life that includes being married with children, McGhee’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the community. As of now, the Middletown Township Public Schools District has not issued an official response to the allegations against one of their coaches.
The charges against McGhee are serious and have legal implications that could affect both his professional and personal life significantly.
