COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A former high school basketball coach on trial for allegedly hitting players in the groin with a clipboard and other objects took the stand in his own defense, calling himself a fun-loving coach and saying that some players were lying.

Gregory Lynn Burr, 29, is charged with sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, and other counts. He's accused of hitting nine 14- to 16-year-old boys during the 2005-2006 season at the Monument Academy charter school.

Burr smiled and laughed Monday as he spoke of some of the incidents, recalling four times when he said he hit players in the groin accidentally.

District Judge David Miller earlier told jurors Burr is accused of assaulting the students for abuse, not sexual gratification.

Burr’s wife, the former athletic director at the Monument charter school, was expected to testify Tuesday before the case goes to the jury later this week.

Click here to read additional coverage of the trial in the Colorado Springs Gazette.