FAIRVIEW, Tenn. — A former track coach in Williamson County is facing a lengthy list of criminal charges after an investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office uncovered an inappropriate relationship with a 16 year old student athlete.
Christopher Grinstead, 26, was employed by Williamson County Schools as a supplement only coach. According to court records from Williamson County General Sessions Court, Grinstead used his position of authority over the teen to carry out the crimes between February and April of this year.
Investigators said the encounters took place inside Grinstead’s car, which he allegedly parked at various businesses in Fairview and Franklin while the relationship continued.
Charges and Timeline
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says Grinstead faces two counts of sexual contact with a minor by an authority figure, statutory rape by an authority figure, aggravated assault, aggravated stalking, and seven separate counts of violating a domestic order of protection.
Additional charges filed against him include violating bail conditions, theft of property over $1,000, vandalism, and failure to appear in court.
Investigators say the relationship between Grinstead and the student involved frequent texting, phone calls, and contact outside of official school activities, with some of the messages described by police as sexual in nature.
Court documents also indicate the pair discussed the idea of leaving the state together and going to Kentucky.
After the victim’s mother learned what was happening, she obtained a temporary order of protection against Grinstead. Police say he violated that order, which led a judge to require him to wear a GPS monitoring device.
A detective later found that Grinstead had cut the band off the device while he was in Louisville, Kentucky. Investigators were able to track him down using license plate reader technology.
School District Response
Williamson County Schools confirmed that Grinstead had worked in the district since mid 2024, first as a cross country coach at Page High School before resigning that post in January 2025. He was hired as a track coach at Fairview High School the following September.
The district said it suspended Grinstead without pay on April 27 as the criminal investigation got underway, then formally terminated his employment three days later on April 30.
School officials noted that prior to this case, Grinstead had no disciplinary history on record. As a supplement only coach, his sole responsibility with the district was overseeing the track program.
Grinstead is currently being held in the Williamson County Jail, according to Sheriff Jeff Hughes. The case is expected to move forward through the criminal court system, where he will answer to the full range of charges filed against him.
