Ex-Perryton Athletic Director Gets 30 Years for Student Affair

PERRYTON, TX – A former football coach and athletic director at Perryton ISD has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sexually abusing a 15-year-old student.

Cole Underwood, 29, was charged in June 2024 with enticing a minor and later pleaded guilty to the charges in September. On Tuesday, he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk to 30 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release. Underwood will also be required to register as a sex offender.

The investigation began in May 2024 when the Perryton ISD superintendent reported a possible inappropriate relationship between Underwood and a female student.

Surveillance footage showed Underwood meeting the girl alone after school hours despite being told not to do so. Documents stated the video showed Underwood propping open a door and turning off lights. About 15 minutes later, the student entered through the door and went into Underwood’s office.

The victim later told police that Underwood had sex with her in his office multiple times between February and May 2024.

She said the relationship began when Underwood added her on Snapchat and started sending flirtatious and sexual messages. These conversations eventually led to him arranging encounters with her.

Law enforcement also discovered multiple late-night conversations on the girl’s phone, with some lasting up to six hours. Underwood reportedly called the victim “wifey” and told her he loved her.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim shared her experience, explaining how Underwood had manipulated her, acting like a friend at first and slowly pressuring her for sex. She said, “I had no idea that he was slowly in the process of grooming me... I genuinely thought that he actually cared about me. I didn’t know how to stop it... He convinced me to shut everyone out.”

"I hope if there is a girl out there who is going through what I have been through, she has the chance to hear my story to know it's okay to speak up. There are people who want to help."

Underwood now faces 30 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.