Olentangy coach resigns amid investigation into inappropriate text messages

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) – An Olentangy Berlin High School coach has resigned after facing allegations he sent inappropriate messages to a former student.

Olentangy Berlin High School girls wrestling coach James "Jamie" Kasser resigned from the position on May 23 after an investigation into inappropriate text messages to a former athlete.

A public records request for emails and records about the investigation showed school administrators were made aware of the texts on May 20. An email sent to principal Benjamin Jagger and athletics director John Betz was addressed by the student-athlete's father and contained screenshots of the text messages. That email sparked an investigation by the school district, resulting in Kasser's resignation three days later.

The messages date back to April, when the student-athlete was no longer enrolled at Olentangy Berlin High School, according to the emails. One text dated April 7 reads, "Am I on your naughty list?" That text is followed by another message after apparently no response. The next message reads, "Hope you have an amazing day. Sending naked hugs and kisses your way."

There are around one dozen text message conversations in the emails and records from the school. Another text reads, "I love who you are. If I was younger I would've snatched you up and rocked your world. Lol."

Kasser was hired as the girls wrestling coach in 2022. According to a report sent to the Ohio State Board of Education, Kasser is 62 years old.

Olentangy Schools Superintendent Todd Meyer declined an interview for this story, but his office did send the following statement:

“On May 20, Olentangy Schools was made aware of allegations of potential district policy violations by James Kasser, former girls wrestling coach at Olentangy Berlin High School. These allegations were immediately reported to the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, child protective services, and the State Board of Education's Office of Professional Conduct. While the district cannot provide a comment on the investigations by outside agencies, we can confirm that Mr. Kasser resigned from his coaching role on May 23, 2025, and is no longer affiliated with Olentangy Schools in any capacity.  

Olentangy Schools remains committed to providing a safe, supportive, and positive environment for every student. We take any matter that impacts our students seriously, and we will continue to take swift, appropriate action to protect our students while upholding the integrity and high standards of our community.”

The Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office said Monday that it did not have an open investigation involving Kasser.

A new Ohio law against grooming makes the offense a misdemeanor or, in some cases, a felony. The law states an offense "when the pattern of conduct would cause a reasonable adult person to believe that the person is communicating with the minor with purpose to do either of the following: a. Entice, coerce, or solicit the minor to engage in sexual activity, and when the person’s purpose in engaging in the pattern of conduct is to entice, coerce, or solicit the minor to engage in sexual activity with the person or a third person. b. Prepare the minor to engage in sexual activity, and when the person’s purpose in engaging in the pattern of conduct is to prepare the minor to engage in sexual activity with the person or a third person that would be rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, gross sexual imposition, sexual imposition, or importuning.”

Relationships that qualify under the law include that of a "teacher, administrator, coach or other person in authority." 

Each part of the law specifies a "victim" as a "minor." The age of the Olentangy Berlin student athlete involved is unclear, as it's possible she could have been 18 at the time of the text messages. The law also specifies "the minor is enrolled in or attends that institution." The student athlete was not enrolled at the high school at the time of the messages in question.

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