Testimony has begun in the hearing against Edinburg Vela High School Head Football Coach Ernie Alonzo.

Alonzo is accused of forcing several students to work out naked. Two lawsuits were filed against Alonzo and testimony began on Tuesday for only one of those lawsuits.

This lawsuit was filed in September 2025 by a student identified as N.R. It alleges that on March 22, 2024, Alonzo ordered N.R. to perform "strenuous physical activity" completely nude. N.R. attempted to cover himself with underwear, but Alonzo threatened and ordered him to remain nude.

Coach Alonzo took the stand briefly before a five-minute break was taken after he refused to answer questions.

Alonzo was asked if he thought it was appropriate to have a student exercise naked to which he responded "it depends on what you consider nude."

He said he never authorized students to workout naked and called the accusing students liars.

The defense asked if he'd allow another coach to force his own son to work out naked and Alonzo said no, but that's not what he did.

At one point Alonzo stopped answering questions and began arguing with the defense. A break was given for his attorneys to speak with him. 

RELATED STORY: Second lawsuit filed against Edinburg CISD football coach who allegedly forced students to work out nude

Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Mario Salinas, district Police Chief Ricardo Perez Jr. and Athletic Director Oscar Salinas were also called to the stand.

The lawsuit said a police investigation was initiated but halted by "unnamed ECISD administrators" who opted for a toothless internal review.

An Edinburg CISD Police Department investigator admitted the case was credible but there was no criminal referral, according to the lawsuit.

During Superintendent Salinas' testimony, he said he was never ordered to close the investigation and he never ordered anyone to close it either.

He said he did not authorize a report be sent to the Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office and that district police investigations were independent from him.

Superintendent Salinas also said the lawsuit did not affect his decision to retire as superintendent at the end of the year.

Perez also took the stand. The defense filed a motion to quash the subpoena to have him testify claiming it was not relevant to the case. The plaintiff argued the case was repeatedly delayed due to missing documents and subpoenas.

The motion to quash was denied.

Perez said he was asked at 5 p.m. Monday to submit relevant documents by 8 p.m. that same day. He said he tried his best to get everything but there wasn't enough time and he is not sure if more documents would be available.

Athletic Director Salinas also testified. He said the incident was not appropriate and he was not in the room when it occurred.

He said he found out about it on Monday and reprimanded Coach Alonzo on April 17, days after the incident occurred.

Testimony is ongoing with Coach Alonzo expected to testify as well.