Boulder City Football Coach Arrested on Lewdness Charges

Body camera footage shows the arrest of Frank 'Bubba' Mariani, accused of misconduct with players

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Boulder City Police Department has released body camera footage of the January arrest of Frank 'Bubba' Mariani, the Boulder City High School football coach accused of lewdness and child abuse. The 21 videos, totaling over 10 hours, show officers pulling over Mariani's SUV and detaining him near a school. Mariani is accused of slapping players' buttocks, talking about having sex with minors, and grabbing a player's genitals between May 2024 and November 2025.

Why it matters

The case has raised concerns in the Boulder City community about the conduct of a trusted high school coach and the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures for those working with minors. The release of the body camera footage provides transparency around the arrest and investigation process.

The details

The body camera footage shows several officers pulling over Mariani's SUV, which had a flat tire and was filled with sports equipment. Mariani, wearing a baseball cap, hoodie, and athletic shorts, was handcuffed and patted down. He told officers he was on his way to pick up his children from school and asked his wife to arrange rides and contact their lawyer. Officers remarked that Mariani must have expected the arrest, given his recent firing from Boulder City High School.

  • The alleged misconduct occurred between May 2024 and November 2025.
  • Mariani was arrested in January 2026.

The players

Frank 'Bubba' Mariani

The Boulder City High School football coach accused of lewdness and child abuse involving his players.

Boulder City Police Department

The law enforcement agency that arrested Mariani and released the body camera footage of the incident.

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What they’re saying

“This guy is going to be in for a while”

— Arresting officer (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

“Dummy”

— Another officer (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Mariani's bail at a hearing next week.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for rigorous background checks, ongoing monitoring, and clear policies to protect student-athletes from potential abuse by trusted coaches. The transparency provided by the body camera footage is an important step in rebuilding community trust.