No offense here Knightsbridge but you are part of the problem by making assumptions and about outdated methods. Given my unfortunate knowledge of two Athletic Department investigations into abuse, schools do not blindly take a word from 1 athlete. Investigations occur after multiple concerns are raised and corroborated. At that point a prelim investigation occurs and if warranted, an external firm is brought in due to too many personal relationships of the AD Personnel being too close to coaching staffs (too aligned for job protection). Then the various academic, medical and transportation staff are included.
For the NC (and GT) programs having to bring in outside firms shows this is NOT SCAPEGOATING anything but a concern over other methods of management style outdated and in some violation of rights.
Workplace and Athletic environments ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. Those who want to parse that they aren’t are simply in denial and not up with current laws.
The Men’s programs of Football and Basketball have these issues as well however there have been too many swept under the rug or members “shamed” for not “manning up as a big boy” to take criticism, which is absurd but it happens. Tom Izzo’s Berating on national TV was wrong and his additional comments to justify it were also wrong and yet the school ignores it due to the money involved. There will be more men’s programs that will slowly come out as hostile work environments and the usual rhetoric will follow to shame those reporting it, and that is the real issue, people not willing to listen.
Please read the article about Geno's and the other Final Four coaches. Geno is saying what I was trying to say, only much better. If you don't agree, that's fine.
I have seen quite a number of examples of coaches crossing - and crossing very clearly - a line. Actually, Rich Rod of the Arizona football program, while it wasn't for his coaching, and there was no evidence for the sexual harassment claims of his secretary, was ultimately fired because he created an unacceptable culture. And quite rightly so.
At the same time, some coaches are not going to change, but are ultimately if anything too harsh, not abusive. Abusive is belittling players for who they are, not saying "they can't guard a chair" as I seem to recall Geno saying. And it is calling someone an ethnic insult - not yelling 'No more foreigners" when Svet made a play he didn't like. It is telling someone they are a disgrace - and not calling them a "Human Foul" as I heard Geno call Schumacher? (the player from Canada).
Was there really anything wrong with Geno's remarks? But in today's day and age - could someone think that he insults his players? Um, I think so. And I'm sorry, but for all the long list of folks who have abused players, there are lots who have quietly been accused of it, even if all that makes the news is that a player transferred.
As to Izzo, which I considered "crossing the line" - Geno defends him. So, who's to say, I have never coached anyone.
