West Mecklenburg boys basketball coach Chris Ewell was arrested Thursday, and faces multiple felony charges, including sexual activity with a student at the school.
The victim is 17, and she was drinking alcohol provided by the coach when the incident happened, according to an arrest warrant.
Ewell's charges include: felony sexual activity with a student; felony indecent liberties with a student; and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to an arrest warrant.
"The allegations arose after text messages were located on the victim's iPad by a third party person, discussing that she had gone to the suspect's residence, ... drank alcohol, and that the victim and suspect engaged in sexual contact," an affidavit reports.
"The messages also discussed the victim and suspect kissing on prior occasions, while on school grounds. ... Investigators responded to the school and ... the victim confirmed she had been communicating with the suspect in an inappropriate manner, outside of school, via text. The victim further disclosed she and the suspect met in person, on the night of 10/10/2026, after the suspect arranged for an Uber to pick her up from a friend's house and take her to his residence."
The teen gave investigators access to her iPad, revealing messages about "engaging in sexual contact with the suspect, while she was at his house on the night of 10/10/2026-10/1 1/2026," court documents say.
Ewell denied the accusations when questioned by detectives, police say.
Ewell was set to start his second year as West Mecklenburg coach. Last season, he was named The All-Observer regional coach of the year. He led the Hawks to an 18-10 record and the school's first conference championship in 18 years. The 18-10 record also was the school's first winning record in 15 years.
The season before Ewell began, West Meck was 0-25. Ewell's first team also reached the third round of the playoffs. West Meck had not been that far in the playoffs in 17 years.
The current high school basketball season is set to begin Nov. 11.
The Observer reached out to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for a comment. The district sent back a note that had been sent to West Mecklenburg families on Friday. It added that Ewell has been suspended with pay
The note read:
West Mecklenburg High School Families,
I am writing to inform you that a school employee was suspended with pay following an arrest in connection with an incident involving a student.
Please know that I cannot share additional details about this situation. However, our school administration is working closely with district leaders, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Police Department (CMSPD), and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority. We encourage all students to trust their instincts. If anyone – whether a coach, mentor, or family friend – ever crosses a boundary or makes a student feel uneasy, let them know they should report it to you, a school counselor, a school administrator, or through the Say Something app. If you have any additional information pertinent to this, or any other case, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-336-8335.
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