University of Mount Olive under fire as multiple female athletes accuse Women’s Flag Football Coach Eric James of sexual assault.
A 17-year-old girl and her father told The North Carolina Beat that she was allegedly raped on Thursday, October 2, 2025, by University of Mount Olive Women’s Flag Football Head Coach Eric James.
Earlier Wednesday, The North Carolina Beat reported that James had stepped down from his position after multiple female students accused him of sexual assault. Later this afternoon, Athletic Director Joey Higginbotham confirmed that James was no longer employed following “complaints regarding Women’s Flag Football Coach Eric James.”
“The University of Mount Olive has received complaints regarding Women’s Flag Football Coach Eric James, and the University can confirm that Coach James is no longer employed at the University.
UMO holds its employees to high standards and expects all faculty and staff to uphold the University’s covenant. A closed-door meeting with the involved parties will be held this evening to discuss next steps. As this is a personnel matter, no further comment can be provided at this time. The University will begin an immediate search for a new women’s flag football coach.”
While Higginbotham didn’t specify whether James was fired or resigned, an Instagram post made by James earlier this afternoon claimed that he had resigned.
The 17-year-old student-athlete told The North Carolina Beat that James raped her last week around 5:30 p.m.
She said it happened after study hall when she stayed behind to ask about her positions on the team.
“So, I stayed back for a few minutes, and then he asked me to go to a different room,” the girl said. “I was like, ‘why?’ I didn’t want to. It was making me uncomfortable.”
Once inside the room after being pressured, the girl said James told her something disgusting.
“He said he wanted me to ‘cum’ for him,” she recalled.
She said when she tried to leave, James pulled her by her book bag, asking her to take it off.
“I told him no,” she said. “So, I pulled my book bag down — you know how it hangs down over your butt — that’s what I did because he kept telling me to take it off.”
The girl said James then used his strength to overpower her.
“As he kept trying to do it [penetrate her], I kept moving. He couldn’t do it at first, but it got to a point where he used all of his power, and I just couldn’t fight anymore,” the 17-year-old told The North Carolina Beat.
She said she told James repeatedly that what he was doing made her uncomfortable, but he allegedly responded:
“Well, I wanted you to cum for me.”
The teen said James also made disturbing comments about waiting for her to turn 18.
“He even told me he was waiting for me to turn 18 so he could f*** me on his couch,” she said. “He told me that was going to be my birthday present.”
The girl said she was left traumatized.
“I was lost for words, stuck, and I walked out like nothing happened because I wasn’t there mentally to have a voice to say anything,” she said. “He would try to trap me in his office and tell me to shut the door, and I would be like no.”
Eventually, she began bringing a friend with her anytime she needed to speak to James to avoid being alone with him.
“I would not be in his office for more than a minute,” she said. “I got what I needed for the sport and left.”
The teen also claimed this wasn’t James’ first time being accused of inappropriate behavior.
According to her, James previously worked at Jones Senior High School, when she once attended the school and was allegedly fired after “messing with a girl” and “showing male students his sex tapes.”
She said this happened in 2024.
The victim told The North Carolina Beat she has personally spoken with at least ten other victims, saying there are “a handful more.”
During a meeting held Wednesday afternoon with parents and the victims, one parent said she had previously reported James’ behavior to the university, but Higginbotham claimed he only became aware of the incidents on Tuesday, October 7.
The victim’s father told The North Carolina Beat that his daughter revealed the assault while they were playing the video game Warzone, Tuesday. He also said they are planning to file criminal charges.
The North Carolina Beat has reached out to the Mount Olive Police Department to confirm whether an official investigation has been launched into Eric James.
10 thoughts on “EXCLUSIVE: 17-Year-Old University of Mount Olive Player Says She Was Raped By Coach Eric James”
While these allegations are very serious, I pray for both the victims and the accused. May God bring healing to those who were hurt and strength for their journey forward. To the victims: please don’t carry this weight alone seek help, lean on support, and know this does not define you. And to the accused: may God deliver you from harmful ways and guide you to accountability and change. Hurt should never lead to more hurt, and I pray for complete healing on every side.
Like ash stated we all once worked together as I’m not a minor so I over looked his behavior I did very much feel creeped out and uncomfortable. He’s not the first man do do something like this to me and last time I spoke up I got fired so I’ve always held my tongue but, the haunting truth is… one morning I can into work 730am maybe a few mins later. Eric came to me said hey your going to do a charity event with me at the hospital I said ok mind you I had no idea what hospital but I knew I wasn’t getting in his car. He of course argued this for a brief moment then said ok I’ll ride in your car I didn’t argue at least I was in control of the car and where I ended up! The whole time we were there in public eye he made inappropriate comments about my chest area and then on out way back to my store he asked me to stop by a fast food restaurant (leaving out the name as he’s not associated with this restaurant that I know of) and as I’m sitting waiting on him he starts telling me how beautiful I am and how he’d “hit it” if I would let him. I shut that down really fast as I was engaged at the time(now married) and very much In love with my man. As soon as we get back to our store I go to get out my car he grabs my leg and tells me he’d really like to take me out sometime and of course once again I tell him no I’m engaged with a child and just not interested. While in the store he’s chased me around tried to lock me in the walk in and then trying to “hug” me once even reaching around me and trying to grab my chest. I really hope he gets what he deserves! I hope the full truth comes to light and he’s locked up for a long time!!
Proud of you Logan for speaking out. It’s never too late to say something . He too my daughters childhood from her and so much more and it’s my mission to seek justice for each of his victims. There are lots more victims out there. He’s a danger to society.
Hey Logan do you mind reaching out to me? This info would be helpful
I told my school what he was doing in class I told the counselor and the principal at the time and no one believed me. There was students at my school that he was like that with including me.
Schools have failed us his other employments have failed us and I am so sorry, but I am extremely proud of you for speaking out and it’s never too late. I hear you and you are not alone.
Please if you haven’t reach out to your parents or law enforcement and make this report!
What a douchebag
He was my former district manager at my job and would always say inappropriate comments to all the female employees. He tried at one point to get one of us alone in our walk-in at work and his car to go to a charity event. All female employees said they felt uncomfortable around him. He was either making comments, leaning in to close to us, and you could practically feel him staring at you as you worked.
Ashton proud of you for speaking out. It’s never too late to say something. Sad part is his places of employment knew every single one of them knew . They failed you ! We will get justice no one should be made to feel uncomfortable and scared at their employment or school ever . You are not alone and I hear you .