High school coach told authorities it’s ‘God’s divine plan’ for him to be with 15-year-old student

PERRYTON, Texas. (KWTX/Gray News) - A former high school coach in Texas allegedly told authorities that it’s “God’s divine plan” for him to continue a relationship with a 15-year-old student.

According to the criminal complaint, the school’s superintendent contacted law enforcement to report an inappropriate relationship between 29-year-old Cole Underwood and a female student.

The superintendent said in the complaint that surveillance video showed Underwood meeting the student alone after hours despite being told not to be alone with the student.

Law enforcement interviewed the student, and she said Underwood had sex with her in his office more than 10 times between February and May, KWTX reported.

The student said she added Underwood as a friend on Snapchat. Underwood allegedly established a friendship with her and invited her to his office to confide in him.

Authorities searched the student’s phone and found multiple late-night conversations between her and Underwood, including some where he referred to her as “wifey” and told her he loved her.

Underwood was charged with enticement of a minor.

FBI Special Agent Nathan Newland testified that Underwood believes that it’s “God’s divine plan for them to be together,” according to a report by KVII in Amarillo, Texas.

If convicted, Underwood faces up to life in federal prison.