Coach Accused of Having Sex With Girl, 14

A 29-year-old San Clemente High School coach has been arrested on suspicion of child molestation for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl, authorities said Thursday.

Andrew Earl Malone of San Clemente, who coaches baseball and basketball at the high school and is a geology instructor at Saddleback College, was arrested by county sheriff’s deputies during baseball practice on Tuesday afternoon, according to Sheriff’s Department Lt. Dan Martini.

The alleged victim, a San Juan Capistrano resident who does not attend San Clemente High, told police investigators she had sexual intercourse with Malone at his home in February, Martini said.

Malone is not a member of the high school faculty and was hired last August as a “walk-on” coach, said Principal Chris Cairns. Malone coached the sophomore basketball team last fall and was coaching the freshman baseball team when he was arrested at the Bonita Canyon Park ball field on Tuesday, Cairns said.

Cairns said the players were not aware that Malone had been arrested. Malone has been placed on administrative leave and “will not be back on the field with the students until the investigation is concluded,” Cairns said.

Cairns said he does not know Malone well, but added, “I know he was well thought of by the athletes, parents and other coaches.”

Malone couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.

He is a graduate of San Clemente High School, UC Santa Barbara and Indiana University.

He has been a part-time instructor at Saddleback College since the fall semester and is teaching Geology 1 this semester, a college spokeswoman said.

Malone appeared briefly Thursday in Municipal Court in Laguna Niguel, and his arraignment on one charge of child molestation was set for March 11. He is being held in Orange County Jail on bail of $25,000.

Police have asked anyone who has any information on the case to call Investigator Wayne Quint at (714) 647-7467.