Liberty High School basketball coach placed on unpaid leave following misconduct investigation

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A Liberty High School basketball coach has been placed on unpaid administrative leave after being charged with a misdemeanor, according to the Kern High School District.

Jeff Hicks was charged with annoying or molesting a child under 18, court documents revealed.

Hicks, the boys varsity basketball coach at the school, had initially been placed on paid administrative leave in connection with the misconduct investigation.

He will continue to be employed by the district, according to KHSD, which went on to say that it could not comment further because it is a “personnel matter.”

Hicks has a sheduled court date of Dec. 18.

Assistant Coach Matt Bhone confirmed that he has taken over the program.

KHSD released the following statement to 23ABC News on Thursday afternoon:

“After a review of the charges, the Kern High School District is moving to place Mr. Hicks on unpaid administrative leave.”