WEST HOLLYWOOD—Herman Nash, former assistant basketball coach of West Hollywood Pacific Hills, died on April 27 in the Pitchess Detention Center North Facility. His death comes a week after being sentenced to one year in jail for having sex with a 16 year-old girl.
Nash’s death was reported to the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 4:54 p.m. on Wednesday. The circumstances of his death are still under investigation and an autopsy is pending. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department told Canyon News on May 3 that involvement of the facility in Nash’s death had been ruled out.
The sentencing was on April 20 for one year in jail and 52 weeks of sex offender treatment. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Anna H. Egerton barred contact between Nash and the girl, and any other minors except his children. Police said that the 16 year-old girl had received one-on-one training from Nash.
On March 3, Nash entered a no-contest plea to three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, according to the City News Service. Defense attorney Robert Schwartz called his client a beloved figure in the community and a remarkable man who made a terrible mistake.
Nash was a running back at Manual Arts High School and graduated in 1987. He then became the assistant basketball coach for the boys basketball team at West Hollywood Pacific Hills. He had led the squad to the 2013 state championship game, and Pacific Hills won the title. Friends and family are posting their remembrances of Nash on social media.
“Rest in Paradise to one of my most influential basketball coaches I’ve ever had.. Herman Nash, you changed my and many of my close friends/teammates lives with your 24/7 availability for all of us. You took every day out of your life to create better opportunities for us youth. Over 10 years of memories will always be remembered, love you Nash! This is so unreal,” said Brandon Porter on his Facebook page.
