Norwich Free Academy coach allegedly hit student after ‘6-7' joke, leaving him with concussion: Warrant

New details were revealed on Thursday about a Norwich Free Academy math teacher and head wrestling coach who is facing criminal charges for allegedly striking a student during practice — an incident investigators say left the student with a concussion, according to an arrest warrant.

The coach is charged with risk of injury to a child and assault in the third degree.

The incident happened on Dec. 30, 2025, during a wrestling practice at NFA.

At 7:26 p.m., it was reported to Norwich police that an assault had occurred between the coach and a student at the school earlier in the day. The student’s mother told police her son was hit in the face by his wrestling coach, the warrant stated.

In a written statement to police, the student said that during wrestling practice, his team was doing a cardio workout on a stationary bike, according to the warrant.

The coach told the student to “pick up the pace” as he was pedaling at 30 revolutions per minute (RPM), while others were pedaling at 60-70 RPM, the warrant stated.

The student then made a “six-seven” joke. Investigators say the coach then came up behind the student and struck him in the face with an open hand, leaving a red mark under his eye, according to the warrant.

The student told the coach not to touch his face and was crying. The coach then said, “Oh, I got you good. Is that why you’re crying?” the warrant stated.

The student told police he immediately felt pain and developed symptoms, including headaches and neck pain. He also said he walked home after practice, took a nap, and threw up. His father took him to William W. Backus Hospital, where he was diagnosed with head trauma and a concussion, according to the warrant.

When asked what happened, the coach said he “tapped [the student] in the face to refocus him.” He also said he thinks he may have tried to hit the student’s shoulder and “accidentally hit him in the head,” the warrant stated.

After the student told the coach not to touch him in the head, the coach told police that he said, “listen, sorry, I did not mean to hit you in the head. I am just trying to get you to focus and finish out this practice,” according to the warrant.

Investigators interviewed more than 30 witnesses, whose accounts of the incident varied.

Some said they heard a slap and saw the student become upset and leave. One witness described the strike as “very light,” while others said it appeared more forceful, the warrant stated.

Several students said the coach had a pattern of physically tapping or hitting wrestlers to motivate them. Others described him as a tough but typical coach and said they did not believe he intended to hurt anyone, according to the warrant.

Police also reviewed Snapchat group messages among team members, which showed students discussing the incident and, in some cases, encouraging each other to say it was exaggerated or a “light tap,” the warrant stated.

Medical records included in the warrant show the student was diagnosed with a concussion and neck injuries, with symptoms that continued in the days after the incident.

Police also reviewed surveillance video from the gym, which showed portions of the practice, though the cardio room where the incident allegedly happened did not have cameras, according to the warrant.

The Department of Children and Families later substantiated allegations of physical abuse and neglect against Nelson, the warrant stated.

NFA’s head of school originally shared that the coach had been placed on administrative leave because of the incident.

The coach was released on a $10,000 bond and was arraigned in Norwich court today.

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