Liberty Christian School in Argyle fired its newly hired defensive coordinator on Thursday, Aug. 6, after learning he had pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges in Arizona 20 years earlier and never disclosed the conviction during the hiring process.
Gabe Eliserio, who was hired in March to coach the Warriors' defense, was dismissed the same day school officials announced his departure in a written statement. The private school, which draws students from across southern Denton County including Flower Mound and Highland Village, acknowledged its third-party background check system failed to flag Eliserio's criminal history.
According to Graham County, Arizona court records cited by the Cross Timbers Gazette and the Houston Chronicle, Eliserio was charged with sexual abuse in 2005 while playing quarterback at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona. He pleaded guilty in March 2006, served jail time and was placed on probation with community service. In May 2006, Eliserio and the college were named as defendants in a related civil lawsuit.
The school said Eliserio's departure was based on information he failed to disclose, not on any actions or behavior during his time at Liberty Christian.
Previous stop at Prestonwood
Before arriving at Liberty Christian, Eliserio spent time as defensive coordinator at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, where he was hired in 2025. He left that program in March 2026 after parents alerted administrators to his criminal history. It remains unclear whether he resigned or was fired from Prestonwood.
Liberty Christian hired Eliserio that same month. The school said it uses a third-party background check system and conducts direct reference calls to verify candidate information. Neither process caught the conviction.
The school said it is now reviewing those procedures. No named school official has spoken publicly about the matter; all statements have come from unsigned institutional releases.
How the story came to light
Amy Smith of Watchkeep.org first published Eliserio's criminal history on Tuesday, Aug. 4, after a concerned parent contacted her with information about the coach's background. Smith's report cited Arizona court documents. By Thursday, her post on X announcing the firing had drawn more than 15,000 views.
Coaching staff in transition
The dismissal adds another layer of upheaval to a Warriors football program already navigating significant staff changes. Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten left as head coach in January to become tight ends coach at the University of Oklahoma. Former Nebraska assistant Josh Martin was hired as head coach in February.
Under Witten, Liberty Christian compiled a 46-15 record over five seasons and won back-to-back TAPPS Division I state championships in 2023 and 2024.
The school is now searching for a new defensive coordinator ahead of the fall season. Parents with concerns can contact Liberty Christian School directly or reach Watchkeep.org, which accepts tips about institutional accountability at schools.
