Woman sues suspended duPont Manual football coach claiming he had sex with her as a minor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – A lawsuit was filed earlier this week against Donnie Stoner, the suspended head football coach at duPont Manual High School, accusing him of having sex with a juvenile student.

The suit, filed Monday in Jefferson Circuit Court, also names Stoner’s twin brother, Ronnie -- then a safety administrator at Manual -- claiming, in part, he knew or should of known about his brother's alleged actions. Ronnie Stoner, who is also suspended, worked with the football team as well.

The school’s principal, Dr. Michael Newman, and athletic director, David Zuberer, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit, accused in the negligent hiring, lack of supervision and retention of Stoner.

Donnie Stoner, who was also a teacher, was charged in July 2023 with multiple counts of sex abuse 1st-degree, rape 3rd-degree and sodomy 3rd-degree. He has pleaded not guilty.

The woman who filed the suit is not being identified by WDRB because she is an alleged victim of sex abuse.

She accuses Stoner, 40, of having sex with her while she was a Manual student, causing both physical and mental injuries.

The lawsuit, filed by Louisville attorney Vanessa Cantley, is seeking a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages.

Stoner is out of jail on bond awaiting his trial scheduled for March. He was granted work release but ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim or any other students.

He is scheduled to be back in court on Oct. 16.

Stoner's attorney, Rob Eggert, has said he is "confident (Stoner) will be vindicated," but has declined to comment further. He could not be immediately reached on Thursday.

Stoner is accused of having sex with the juvenile at his home multiple times while he was teaching and coaching at Manual from May to July of 2023.

According to court documents, Stoner picked up the girl and drove her to his home multiple times and abused her.

The police report claims Stoner also touched and kissed the 17-year-old juvenile while in his classroom in May 2023.

Jefferson County Public Schools spokeswoman Carolyn Callahan said both Donnie and Ronnie Stoner remain suspended. She said she could not comment on pending litigation.

In 2022, Stoner took over the program and led Manual to a 9-3 record.

This story will be updated.

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