Cheatham County Soccer Association issues statement regarding former coach’s arrest history

CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – The Cheatham County Soccer Association is breaking their silence following the arrest of one of their now-former coaches.

Earlier this month, News 2 reported on former coach Jesse Carl Daniels being charged with DUI just weeks after he was arrested for disorderly conduct .

In a letter to News 2, the Cheatham County Soccer Association said Daniels completed his background check on March 26, 2024, which showed a felony drug charge from 2008 and a felony evading arrest by vehicle and misdemeanor DUI in 2004.

Despite the charges, Daniels was approved to coach because, “per established guidelines through our state association, those offenses being 16+ years ago were outside the seven-year look back.”

Officials said the most recent offense from April 13, 2024, where Daniels was allegedly caught speeding in the parking lot of a soccer field , disqualified him from coaching immediately, resulting in Daniels being removed and notified within 24 hours.

The letter said a parent volunteer, who had passed a previous background check in the fall 2023 season, stepped in and assumed coaching duties from Daniels for the rest of the season.

Daniels also reportedly coached basketball and football in Cheatham County, in addition to soccer.

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“Cheatham County Soccer Association has been providing quality youth soccer for 25 years and in that time, we have had approximately 1,200+ VOLUNTEER coaches who have passed the
background check and other state requirements with no issues,” the soccer association said in a statement. “Cheatham County Soccer Association prides itself on providing a safe, inclusive, and fun environment for the youth of Cheatham County. We have had thousands of VOLUNTEERS in
addition to our coaches who donate their time to support our league allowing us to accomplish our Mission, Vision, and Core Values.”

The full letter from the Cheatham County Soccer Association can be found below:

Regarding Daniels’ criminal record, the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) said he was convicted of evading arrest in 2004 and was convicted of cocaine charges in 2008.

Daniels was sentenced to eight years in prison and then released on parole in 2011, but he had his parole revoked in 2013 for a violation. Parole was reinstated six months later, and Daniels completed his sentence in 2014, according to investigators.

Records from the Metro Nashville Police Department revealed Daniels has been charged with DUI multiple times.

On June 1, 2024, Ashland City residents reported a white car drove off Highway 12 and into a ravine. When officers with the Ashland City Police Department arrived, they found the car down an embankment, with Daniels still inside.

Officers repeatedly asked Daniels if he was hurt and what happened, but he didn’t say. He also refused to tell officers where he lived and whether or not he was under the influence. Daniels was ultimately arrested on suspicion of DUI, but did not give investigators consent to take a blood sample.

In mid-April 2024, Daniels was stopped for speeding in the parking lot of the soccer field.

According to officials, Daniels — who was authorized to be a coach at the time by the Cheatham County Soccer Association — was immediately belligerent and denigrating to the officer.

With his son in the car and other players nearby, Daniels verbally unloaded on the officer once he was arrested.

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“‘I’m gonna arrest a soccer coach at the soccer field because I’m bored and I ain’t got [expletive] else to do!’” he said mockingly inside the police vehicle.

Fast forward to June 1, authorities finally obtained a blood sample from Daniels, but had to go to a magistrate and get a warrant to draw his blood since Daniels declined the blood draw.

He was ultimately charged with DUI, violation of implied consent, and violation of the open container law.

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