A former girls track coach at Archbishop Spalding High School will spend the next 25 years as a registered sex offender, after prosecutors alleged he exchanged sexually explicit cell phone images with a 17-year-old student.

The Capital reports that Brian Funk entered an Alford plea on charges of soliciting child pornography. The plea allows Funk to maintain his innocence, but acknowledges that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict.

Funk served as an independent girls track coach for Spalding, receiving a stipend in return for his work. Prosecutors said he exchanged nude images with the student by cell phone.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore learned of the relationship when the girl’s father saw them kissing outside a Linthicum movie theater. He was immediately fired, and the case sparked a police investigation. Funk was arrested in September.

Circuit Judge Paul A. Hackner handed down a three-year jail sentence, but suspended the entire term, the Capital said. Funk will also receive five years of supervised probation.

Funk, 40, is a resident of Pasadena, according to online court records. He is reportedly married with two young children. Prior to his arrest in September, Funk was a freelancer sports writer for Patch.

The Capital reported on Tuesday’s courtroom proceedings, including some emotional statements from the girl’s family.

Funk reportedly apologized, and said he is trying to mend his relationship with his wife and is earning money working at a catering business.