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A former high school bowling coach in Elkhart County has been sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a 13-year-old student under his supervision more than a decade ago.
Tyler Collins, 34, is the Concord High School Bowling Coach Accused of Child Sexual Abuse in Elkhart County, Indiana who pleaded guilty to one count of child molesting and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor. The alleged abuse occurred between 2012 and 2014, when the alleged victim was 13 years old and Collins was 20. Collins will serve his two sentences consecutively.
The factual information above was sourced from wsbt.com as of June 22, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a school sports coach is accused of sexually abusing a minor student athlete, survivors and their families may have significant civil legal options beyond the criminal process. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Indiana sexual abuse attorney Jeff Gibson about the civil legal avenues that may be available to survivors in cases involving alleged sexual abuse by a youth sports coach.
Paul Amess: Jeff, when a school sports coach is accused of sexually abusing a minor student, what civil legal options may be available to survivors and their families?
Jeff Gibson, Esq.: Cases involving the alleged sexual abuse of a minor by a school sports coach can give rise to significant civil claims. Beyond any action against the individual convicted, families may have grounds to pursue civil claims against the school or school district. Schools have a duty to screen, supervise, and protect students from those in positions of athletic authority. When a coach allegedly exploits that position of trust, the institution's oversight and supervision practices become directly relevant to any civil legal evaluation.
Paul Amess: In cases where the alleged abuse occurred over a period of years, does the duration of the conduct affect the scope of potential civil claims?
Jeff Gibson, Esq.: A prolonged period of alleged abuse raises important questions about whether any opportunities existed for the school or others in supervisory roles to identify and intervene before the harm continued. The longer alleged conduct went undetected, the more relevant the question becomes of whether adequate monitoring and safeguards were in place. These are exactly the kinds of questions an experienced attorney will evaluate when assessing a potential civil claim.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a survivor in Indiana who experienced abuse as a minor and is only now considering their legal options?
Jeff Gibson, Esq.: It is never too late to speak with an attorney. Indiana law has evolved regarding statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases, and survivors should never assume their legal options have expired without first getting proper legal guidance. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge — no survivor should have to navigate this process alone.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual abuse or misconduct by a coach, school employee, or any person in a position of authority in Indiana, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Indiana sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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