A Blount County coach and teacher is under arrest and on leave amid accusations he solicited naked photos from a high school student.

Luis Vazquez, 29, is charged with electronic solicitation of a student by a school employee. He was booked into the Blount County Jail Monday on a 48-hour hold and warrants against him were obtained on Wednesday.

That charge is a Class A misdemeanor.

Vazquez earlier this year was among several soccer coaches named Coach of the Year by the Alabama High School Athletic Association boys’ soccer coaches.

The investigation began July 19, said Sheriff Mark Moon. School officials notified investigators about a possible inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a student.

A search warrant was carried out on Vazquez’s cell phone as part of the investigation, Moon said in a Wednesday press conference.

During an interview with investigators, he admitted to an inappropriate relationship with a student, Moon said. The student was under Vazquez’s authority, the sheriff said.

Moon said he would like state lawmakers to make the crime a felony with stiffer punishment.

Oneonta city school officials said they were made aware of allegations regarding unprofessional, off-campus communications between an employee and a student.

The teacher – now identified as Vazquez – was placed on administrative leave and ordered not to be on any city schools’ property. He also was directed to cease all communications with students.

Vazquez joined Oneonta Middle School in 2021 as a seventh-grade science teacher and a soccer coach for the varsity boys’ and girls’ teams.

Vazquez grew up in Oneonta and graduated from high school in 2014. He then played soccer at Shorter University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in psychology.

Oneonta City Schools Superintendent Craig Sosebee said someone reported the allegations to school officials, and he appreciates someone doing so.

He said he is heartbroken by what has happened, and said there is no tolerance.

District Attorney Pamela Casey also thanked the tipster.

“We appreciate the anonymous information provided to us,’’ Casey said. “This is a reminder – if you see something, say something.”