Ex-coach charged with felony hazing in 2024 player death

A former strength and conditioning coach was charged Monday with felony aggravated hazing and three misdemeanor counts in the 2024 death of an 18-year-old player who collapsed during his first team workout. The charges include involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and hazing, according to a statement from the Pennsylvania attorney general's office and court documents.

The player died July 12, 2024, two days after the incident.

allegations The attorney general's statement said the coach subjected the player and others to 100 up-downs and several full-body plank drills despite training that such exercises were not appropriate or safe. The player was visibly struggling, and the coach did not summon help until the player passed out.

"The facts show this was an intentional, deliberate hazing perpetrated by a coach who knew C.J.'s health condition made him vulnerable to extreme workouts," Attorney General Dave Sunday said. The statement added that the coach had received information about the player's health condition along with training about NCAA anti-hazing standards and disregarded that information.

prior lawsuit The player's family attorney told ESPN in 2024 that the collapse resulted from sickle cell-related rhabdomyolysis, a condition experts say can be prevented or reversed by stopping exercise. The NCAA requires sickle cell trait testing for athletes because those with the trait face higher risk during conditioning.

The player's parents sued the university in 2025, alleging it knew of the sickle cell trait diagnosis, cleared him to play, and failed to protect him. The lawsuit claims negligence and wrongful death.

next steps The coach's attorney, Barbara Zemlock, said in a statement that the coach did not contribute to the death and that the training program was appropriate and in accordance with received training and applicable standards. "There are facts and other circumstances surrounding this matter that, once presented at the appropriate time, will demonstrate that Mr.

Kulbis did not commit the crimes charged," Zemlock said. The coach surrendered to authorities Monday, was arraigned, and bail was set at $10,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 28. A school spokesperson said the institution cooperated with the attorney general's investigation but will not comment further because of the active criminal matter and pending civil litigation.

Attorneys for the family said they are grateful criminal charges were filed in connection with the preventable death and that the civil case against the university continues.