Kochel Might Face New Charges in Light of Growing Investigation : Crime: Arraignment of Ventura coach accused of having sex with minor postponed until Oct. 21 because he has yet to hire an attorney.

The Ventura County district attorney’s office said Wednesday that more charges might be brought against Harvey Kochel, the Ventura High football coach who already is charged with seven felony counts of intercourse and other sexual acts with a 16-year-old girl who enrolled in his health class at the school.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Saundra Breuer declined Wednesday to be more specific about the possible additional charges, saying she needs to study the case further.

Kochel, 48, is accused of having sex with the student between January and September. The crimes, which began when the girl was 15, took place at Kochel’s Ventura home, Breuer said, and were uncovered when the girl’s parents began noticing a change in her behavior and then found letters reportedly written to her by Kochel.

“She didn’t admit anything until the letters were found,” Breuer said.

Breuer, who is prosecuting the case, also confirmed the investigation is being expanded to include complaints by other young women. Since Kochel’s arrest last week, other possible victims reportedly have contacted authorities.

“This (alleged sexual misconduct) has happened before,” said Breuer, who did not elaborate on the number of additional complaints, saying only that authorities received “a few” and that police are “checking them out.”

Kochel, the winningest football coach in Ventura High history, was in Ventura County Municipal Court on Wednesday for arraignment, but his case was rescheduled for Oct. 21 because he had not yet retained an attorney. Ventura attorney Louis Samonsky accompanied him to court and said afterward he “believed” he would be representing Kochel.

Kochel, who is free on his own recognizance, left court without commenting.

In another development, the Ventura Unified School District’s Board of Education has placed Kochel on compulsory leave. Kochel will not be paid unless he posts a bond that guarantees he will repay his salary if convicted. In addition, his teaching credential has been suspended, a district spokesman said.