"I poured my heart and soul into this program and team. I don't care if that is your son. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Lentis sister Jean Lenti Ponsetto is the schools athletic director and Conviser says this is the reason allegations were disregarded and covered up. Assistant Coach. instructing players to delete text messages obtained from a teammate's phone, department's chief inclusion officer, a role he gained in Aug. 2016, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. It was our fault if the story got out, it was our fault that Corey had to leave. Haecker played for the Tigers from 2014-2017. "You are banned from campus property and may not attend any university events. [1], Dean graduated from Elon University in 1987. Now, DePaul is being sued for allegedly covering up a toxic culture of abuse within the schools softball program. 'Good step forward': Auburn clinches series at No. 2 South Carolina The lawsuit contains the same details outlined in the Title IX complaint Nemeth filed with the university on May 31, 2017, alleging that Clint Myers "knowingly allowed his son Corey to pursue inappropriate relationships with members of the team, that she had been subjected to abuse and harassment, and that the administration was engaging in a cover-up.". Elkins, KK Conviser is not suing Lenti, but is suing the school for retaliation, breach of contract, defamation and more. Pettry, Sierra There are good people throughout this program and University. Former Auburn players have alleged in prior published reports that Corey Myers often returned to the university and its softball program after his resignation, until players confronted his father in a team meeting. don't forget to follow the Tigers on Twitter: If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. McCrary, Maia (0:41). We stood together in the face of considerable challenges and outside noise. Outside the Lines has inquired about the records requests about a dozen times but has yet to receive any records. That player was engaging in a relationship with Corey Myers, according to the lawsuit, and players presented photographs of text messages between the associate head coach and player as proof. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 2023 Softball Roster - Auburn University Athletics According to the records provided to Outside the Lines, during Myers' tenure, the program reported three other violations to the NCAA: one for abuse of practice time limits, another for improper use of student managers, and one for providing free tickets to a community college team attending a tournament. One former ASU administrator said she was angry when she heard about the Auburn allegations. On Aug. 17, 2017, Outside the Lines requested records from Auburn regarding any investigations or disciplinary action against Corey Myers. Mines worked at Auburn since Sept. 2003 and oversaw men's and women's swimming and diving, volleyball, gymnastics, and men's golf. Former Arizona State athletic department employees who worked with Myers and his two sons, Corey and Casey -- who also worked as a volunteer coach -- described a head coach who chafed under myriad NCAA rules, butted heads with colleagues and was a fierce promoter and protector of his sons. Former shortstop Haley Fagan said several members of the team filed anonymous ethics complaints with the athletic department in September 2016, prompting the university to conduct an internal investigation that led to Corey Myers' resignation after a tearful team meeting. Over the span of four years, he started in 177 of the 188 games that he played on the Plains. Page, Lora View Full Bio, Aspyn Wayne Pettry. AUBURN, Ala. Auburn has fired football coach Bryan Harsin after a troubled term that didn't last two full seasons, making him the program's shortest-tenured head coach in the last 93. Bass said she was not invited back to the program after the conclusion of the 2016 season and is now playing second base at Louisville. A former Auburn softball player sent a 14-page complaint alleging abusive treatment by the Auburn coaching staff, a pattern of sexual harassment and concerns about an administrative cover-up to . He retired Wednesday, saying in a university-issued statement that "after 40 years of coaching and reflecting on the importance of spending quality time with my wife, my children, and my grandchildren, I have decided to retire from a sport that I love dearly and which has brought so much joy to me.". 21 Virginia Tech. Blaine, Axe Ingalls, Caroline "I'm very fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach the Auburn softball program the last 17 seasons," Deese said. Among those let go were chief communications officer Ward Swift, senior associate athletic directors Bernard Hill and David Mines, senior women's administrator Meredith Jenkins and chief revenue officer Michael McBride, the source said. Auburn fires coach Malzahn after eight seasons - ESPN Harsin, 45, came to Auburn on a six-year, $31.5 million deal after seven seasons as head coach at Boise State. It will be interesting to see how Haecker does in his new role as head coach for a different group of Tigers. Soon after, he became the general manager for Diamond Impact Baseball (a travel baseball team in the East Alabama area). Mike Goedde's number 37 was retired, recognizing his 12 seasons as Central head baseball coach, but that's only part of his story. Further, you are forbidden from attending any Auburn University softball-related activities or events, whether on- or off-campus. Bryan Harsin has been fired as Auburn 's football coach, the school announced on Monday. On Nov. 3, Jay Jacobs resigned as Auburn's athletic director after months of reports of violations and lawsuits involving not only the softball program, but also track and field, baseball, football and basketball, including the arrest of assistant coach Chuck Person on federal charges stemming from an FBI investigation into bribery and corruption in college basketball. For more news and notes on Auburn athletics. ", On Aug. 26, ESPN reported that Corey Myers had been under investigation by Auburn since September 2016, and that his resignation on March 30 was prompted by players presenting evidence to officials in Auburn's athletic department of an inappropriate relationship with one of their teammates. Greenberg's letter alleges that on March 30, 2017, "several players approached Head Coach Myers with proof in the form of text messages from a student-athlete's cell phone that Coach Corey was having an inappropriate relationship with one of the student-athletes.". Auburn Football: Factors that led to Cornelius Williams firing after week 4 The suit was filed by Jenny Conviser, a former mental health doctor who worked with DePaul athletes for 13 years. ", Multiple former ASU officials told Outside the Lines the main reason for Clint Myers' departure was that Arizona State officials would not allow him to hire Corey as an assistant coach. The inquiry came after a number of players and coaches left during the offseason. DePaul Sued, Accused Of Covering Up 'Abusive Cult' In School's Softball Cities turn away softball team linked to Myerses - ESPN [2], On September 14, 2017, Mickey Dean was announced as the new head coach of the Auburn Softball program,[3] replacing Clint Myers who resigned in August 2017, amid accusations against him and his assistants. Alexa Nemeth filed a lawsuit. Auburn basketball hires Corey Williams as assistant coach - Yahoo Corey Myers was promoted from assistant coach to Auburn's associate head coach in 2016. AuburnUndercover.com first reporter the firing of Swift, who worked at Auburn since Sept. 2013. Nemeth is bringing civil action under Title IX discrimination based on sex, discrimination and harassment andTitle IX retaliation, and failure to supervise. Auburn was coming off a 6-7 season when Harsin's status was thrown into limbo this February after the university launched an investigation into his handling of the program. [5], National champion Rockford Auburn High School (IL) Varsity Softball - MaxPreps.com According to both Nemeth and Myers, an arbitrator has been selected for her appeal, and a final ruling is expected soon. . On July 20, Greenberg, a lawyer with experience in sports law and Title IX complaints, sent the letter on behalf of Nemeth to Ivey, Auburn president Steven Leath and Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs. Corey resigned on March 30. You have a responsibility to these young women. "I don't pretend to be perfect but I am certain I will be better moving forward because of this experience. Auburn softball coach Tina Deese was fired Wednesday after 17 years. Last fall, Auburn conducted an internal investigation after players filed anonymous ethics complaints with the athletic department regarding Corey's behavior. Lenti, Emily On May 31, a former player, Alexa Nameth, filed a Title IX complaint with the university alleging that "Coach Clint Myers knowingly let his son Corey Myers have relations and pursue relations with multiple members of the team." In each of the past two seasons, three coaches were fired in September.. "We have considered the nature of the violations, which we found to have occurred with more than one student and over an extended period, and have determined that the appropriate sanction is that you are not eligible for rehire by the university at any time," the letter states. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. [2] Coaching career Radford James Madison Auburn All rights reserved (About Us). I don't care if that is your flesh and blood. ESPN sent public records requests regarding Clint and Corey Myers, including any disciplinary actions or complaints, to Auburn University and Arizona State University -- where Clint Myers was the head coach from 2006 to 2013 and Corey Myers was a volunteer coach during the Sun Devils' 2008 national championship season. Longtime Central baseball coach Mike Goedde's number retired Bryan Harsin: What Could Happen if the Auburn coach was fired? - Sports Colletta, Max Matchup History. Former Auburn head softball coach Clint Myers, who left the program in August amid allegations his son and assistant coach Corey Myers engaged in inappropriate behavior with players, was . On May 29, 2017, during her end-of-year meeting with the coaching staff, Nemeth was told that there would not be a role for her on the softball team the following season. AUBURN Auburn basketball is expected to hire Corey Williams as an assistant on coach Bruce Pearl's staff, according to multiple reports. The events that eventually sent shock waves through the program, though, came during the 2017 season, when seniors refused to board the bus for a road trip to Georgia until a certain player got off the bus. View Full Bio. involved in the Auburn softball scandal last . Extending Bruce Pearl's contract was just one of a series of major personnel decisions Auburn athletic director Allen Greene made on Monday. Former Auburn softball player alleges abuse, University negligence. I'm also very appreciative of the Auburn family, community and university during my tenure, and wish the program nothing but the best.". In 2018, Conviser says a patient came to her and told her that Lenti was caught in a dispute with his female Assistant Head Coach when he punched her in the face. Follow all your favorite Alabama teams at Auburn Wire and Roll Tide Wire! Former Auburn head softball coach Clint Myers, who left the program in August amid allegations his son and assistant coach Corey Myers engaged in inappropriate behavior with players, was reprimanded in his previous job as head coach at Arizona State University for issues involving Corey as well, records released Friday to ESPN's Outside the Lines show. She spent 11 years in media relations and has been the SWA for the last several years. "I'm disappointed that I will not be there to lead the team moving forward, but would like to thank the players, coaches and support staff that have been part of the program since I arrived in 1995. AUBURN UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL: Tina Deese fired after 17 years as program . Alabama state law does not include a deadline by which state agencies must respond to records requests. Former Auburn Tigers softball player alleges abuse, sexual - ESPN Jenkins was involved in the Auburn softball scandal last year, includinginstructing players to delete text messages obtained from a teammate's phone that proved an inappropriate relationships between a player and then-assistant coach Corey Myers, who resigned that same day, March 30, 2017. He was also an assistant softball coach for The University of Ole Miss. Auburn will get another chance to win the series tomorrow afternoon. Top Performers. Prior to Lentis arrival at Auburn, he served as DePauls head softball coach for 35 years before retiring in 2018. An Alabama native, Williams was a standout wide . Clint Myers was hired under ASU's Love and departed under her successor, Steve Patterson, and both Love and Patterson told Outside the Lines that no one from Auburn contacted them to discuss Myers or his son ahead of hiring him. . The review is ongoing. 247Sports' Nathan King reported on Monday that Auburn is firing additional staff members along with head coach Bryan Harsin.Offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau and tight ends coach Brad Bedell are the biggest names, as the two were among Harsin's Boise State-related hires, but the team has also laid off some additional support staffers. McBride joined Auburn last September, the last major hire by Jacobs, and was involved in several of the department's major business deals. Since he graduated from Auburn, the Florida native has been quite a busy man. She filed the Title IX complaint two days later. "I just look forward to getting this over with," Nemeth said. She alleges that the coaching staff provided mixed messages about what it would take to get on the field as a player in an abusive manner, including Clint Myers telling her at one point that she "sucked" compared to another pitcher and would need to remove the colored dye from her hair. Over the past five months, an ESPN reporter has spent several days with the Auburn team and coaching staff and conducted dozens of interviews. On Sept. 26, 2017, Nemeth attended Auburn softball tryouts with new head coach Mickey Dean, but she was not selected to be a part of the 2018 roster. He really thinks that Corey is the best," the former administrator said. View Full Bio. "We said that if she gets on, we're staying off," Fagan said. The transition to a Division I institution governed by Pac-12 and NCAA rules led to clashes with his supervisors, assistant coaches and other staff, according to former ASU colleagues. "After all the stuff that happened in the spring, I felt like an idiot for even opening my mouth. Video Analyst. I'm looking forward to not having to deal with Auburn's Title IX office again. Data analyst and reporter for ESPN's Enterprise and Investigative Unit. The letter, sent by Milwaukee attorney Martin Greenberg on behalf of former player Alexa Nemeth, came weeks after Nemeth filed a Title IX sexual discrimination complaint with the school claiming "Coach Clint Myers knowingly let his son Corey Myers have relations and pursue relations with multiple members of the team.". ", Wake Forest's Spear, top-5 ACC scorer, in portal, Taurasi offers glimpse at Griner's return to court, Corpuz, Yin share 1-shot lead in LPGA Chevron, Carmouche submits Bennett to again defend title, A Lim Kim leads Chevron; Ko, Thompson miss cut, Illini-MSU 1st matchup of 2 Black softball coaches, Ex-Oklahoma St. guard Keys to join rival Sooners, Bencic to skip Madrid, Rome tourneys due to hip, Source: Estrada returns July 22; opponent TBD, Sabalenka advances to Porsche GP quarterfinals, Knight, U.S. beat Canada for world hockey gold, Auburn AD: Softball issues handled discreetly, Auburn president confirms softball investigation, Ex-Auburn softball player alleges staff abuse. Laura Schulz. Also at the time, according to an NCAA report, Arizona State had the highest number of major infraction cases of any other institution. Williams was selected at No. AUBURN A former Auburn softball player has sued the university, school leaders and former softball coaches, alleging sexual discrimination and harassment. Tresvik, Emmah Division regular season champion What his rules would be moving forward," she said. 0:05. Winner, 2014 Alfred I. duPont Columbia University Award; finalist, 2012 IRE broadcast award; winner, 2011 Gannett Foundation Award for Innovation in Watchdog Journalism; Emmy nominated, 2009. Then, in the spring, some players confronted head coach Clint Myers with phone screenshots of what they described as text messages proving that Corey was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with one of their teammates. 2015 Softball Roster - Auburn University Athletics The Auburn Tigers are wasting no time making changes. No. https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/2020/04/17/assistant-auburn-softball-coach-accused-of-physical-verbal-abuse/, SEC Baseball Power Rankings: Sweeps galore in Week 11, Five Tigers sign undrafted free agent contracts with NFL franchises, Twitter reacts to the Jaguars selecting Tank Bigsby, Ohio State WR Caleb Burton blown away by his Auburn visit, Auburn offers veteran linebacker transfer Larry Nixon III, Tyrin Lawrence could be a 'perfect fit' for Auburn, Former Colorado WR Montana Lemonious-Craig visiting Auburn this weekend, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Several former Auburn players said in interviews that an Auburn player took a photo of texts, described as intimate in nature, exchanged between Corey Myers and a teammate. AUBURN Auburn has fired football coach Bryan Harsin after a troubled term that didn't last two full seasons, making him the program's shortest-tenured head coach in the last 93 years.. Two years ago, the school decided to pay a $21.7 million buyout to fire Gus Malzahn, who had gone 68-34 in eight seasons. Jenkins was fired in 2018. . pic.twitter.com/GGAtT8pS7Z, South Alabama Sports (@SouthALSports) June 15, 2022. 6 Auburn athletics administrators fired. "Through my entire time at Auburn we did things the right way, which is not always the easy way. Jacobs is set to leave Auburn on June 1 or when the university finds a replacement. Nemeth, contacted for her response to the news of Clint Myers' retirement, said that she feels "vindicated." Widra, Bri That makes five FBS coaches fired this season. Milanowski, Kenadie According to Nemeth's complaint, coach Clint Myers "knowingly let his son Corey Myers have relations and pursue relations with multiple members of the team. Auburn softball has parted ways with assistant coach Eddy Ketelhut and director of operations Megan Reynolds. Lenti was the head coach . When Clint Myers became Auburn's head coach in 2013, he hired Corey as assistant coach and thanked the university "for giving me and my family this Alabama adventure." Auburn's TItle IX department found that "there was sufficient evidence to support a finding that unwanted sexual conduct by Corey occurred with other members of the team, but not enough that Corey created a hostile environment for Nemeth."