Mass Elite Fired Coach After Allegations of an Inappropriate Relationship

The Mass Elite Basketball League responded Monday to state allegations that a . 

Jason Coughlin, 31, of 13 Hovey St., was in Monday afternoon for violating a harassment protection order which stemmed from an allegedly "inappropriate" relationship with a 14-year-old girl. According to authorities, Coughlin and the girl referred to each other as "husband" and "wife" and talked for over two hours Sunday night about "wanting to be together."

In a statement Monday night, Eric Polli, the founder and director of Mass Elite Basketball league, said that Coughlin did not quit of his own accord, but "was forced to resign as a coach for Mass Elite Girls Basketball [after the league was] made aware of these allegations.

"[Coughlin] had previously been hired to coach basketball for the city of Woburn and other local AAU basketball programs where he had coached for 6-plus years before coaching girls basketball for our program," said Polli.

Polli also emphasized in his statement that Coughlin did not coach any boys' programs for Mass Elite. 

In the fall, Coughlin was a point-person for the league's girls' basketball program, which comprises only 5 percent of the league. His mailbox at 13 Hovey St. was labeled "Mass Elite." 

In court yesterday, Coughlin's attorney, Nicholas Felici said that the former coach "quit his job." 

Coughlin was held on $5,000 cash bail yesterday and is scheduled to be in court for a pre-trial hearing June 13.