EASTON (AP) - A suspended teacher's aide and assistant football coach in Bethlehem has admitted to having sex with a 15-year-old student last year.

Thirty-year-old Adam Bednarik pleaded guilty Thursday to statutory sexual assault and corrupting a minor Friday morning in Northampton County Court.

Police say Bednarik began flirting with the girl in 2013 and sent her inappropriate texts, including a nude photo of himself. Prosecutors say they had sex in August 2014.

The Bethlehem man cried as he apologized in the courtroom. He says he's come to learn about himself through the process.

Bednarik faces up to five years behind bars when he's sentenced on March 4.

He was a star football player at Bethlehem Catholic High School and later played at West Virginia University.