Well-known youth sports coach and trainer under investigation

A youth sports coach and trainer well known in Orange County has been removed from his academy and is under investigation for the alleged sexual assault of a minor, his organization and a Santa Ana Police Department spokesperson said Wednesday.

STARS Preparatory Academy and STARS SOCAL released a statement on Instagram that it has “severed all ties” with Chris Flores, known to many in the high school sports scene as “Coach Frogg.”

“The STARS family has been made aware that one of our former team members, Chris Flores, known by many as Coach Frogg, is named in several allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors,” the Instagram statement read. “We are fully cooperating with the Santa Ana Police Department’s investigation.”

“The STARS family has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct,” the statement added.

Santa Ana police began an investigation into Flores late last week for allegations of sexual assault of a minor, said Sgt. Maria Lopez. She said the incident allegedly occurred in Santa Ana’s jurisdiction and is being conducted by the department’s Special Crimes Division.

Lopez added that the investigation will seek to find any related cases. She said that Flores has not been arrested or charged with a crime.

Flores didn’t return a message Wednesday seeking comment.

STARS SOCAL lists an Orange address on its website for booking a training session. The company’s Instagram page states it prepares athletes “for success on an off the playing field.”

STARS Academy states it serves student-athletes with on-site education.

Dubbed the COO of STARS, Flores has been known for training many top high school players the past several years.

He has said on a recruiting website that he has trained standout quarterbacks Bryce Young from Mater Dei, now at Alabama, and DJ Uiagalelei from St. John Bosco, now at Clemson, along with Los Alamitos senior quarterback Malachi Nelson, a USC commit.