When Parents Blow the Whistle on Coaches

Legal Brief

Even with all the hard decisions about budgets and curriculum, sometimes the pressure of dealing with parent complaints about athletic coaches can overwhelm even the most seasoned school administrator.

Nothing ignites the public passion quite like a complaint about a school coach. Administrators must navigate the fine line between ensuring due process for the coach and assuring the public that the complaint is being properly addressed, all while answering to a school board demanding action.

On any given day, a superintendent could receive an e-mail from parents to complain that a coach was verbally abusive to them or their child. Separating the legitimate concerns of abuse from the general unhappiness of parents because their child is not receiving enough playing time can be difficult. When other community members start voicing support for the coach in question, the superintendent falls squarely in the middle. Toss in the inevitable call from a school board member wanting to know what the school district is doing about this situation and the superintendent is in a truly unenviable position.

Administrative Handling

In these situations, superintendents first must realize they are not going to please everyone by their actions. State privacy laws likely impose restrictions on what information can be shared publicly. As a result, community members may become frustrated with the lack of information and accuse the school district of protecting the coach. However, by handling the complaint in a professional and well-reasoned manner, the superintendent can head off additional complaints directed at the school district.

Because extracurricular athletics hold an important place in schools and the community, complaints about coaches tend to rise directly to the school board level. Yet such complaints should be handled at the administrative level and proceed to the school board only if board action is necessary. A superintendent should manage board expectations to allow for investigation of the complaint at the administrative level.

In some cases, depending on the severity of the complaint, the matter may best be directed to the athletic director to simply talk to the coach about his or her communication style. In more serious cases, it may mean retaining an independent investigator to conduct a thorough inquiry. The school district’s legal counsel also should be involved when the complaint rises to the level of alleged physical or verbal abuse.

Competing Pressures

Complaints about coaches must be taken seriously. Administrators should listen carefully to what the complainant has to say without making immediate judgments about the merits or any promises about possible actions. Statements that minimize the significance of the complaint must be avoided, no matter how outlandish the claims may be. Upon receiving the relevant information to determine the scope of the complaint, school administrators should act promptly and appropriately to determine whether any misconduct has occurred.

Without making any guarantees, the complainant should be reassured the district is examining the matter and will take appropriate action. The complainant also should be told that retaliation is not tolerated, and any further incidents should be reported immediately. Many student-athletes and parents are reluctant to come forward with concerns about coaches for fear the coach will retaliate against them by making practices more difficult or by limiting playing time. The worst reaction to a complaint is to do nothing or to be perceived as doing nothing.

The competing pressures between winning contests and providing a positive experience for student-athletes have never been more opposed. The increased focus on athletics, the public profile of coaches and the presence of social media combine to amplify the stakes on coaching issues. Parent complaints are a key contributor to the pressure on coaches.

By using a defined process to funnel complaints to the appropriate administrator, investigating complaints promptly and effectively and taking appropriate action, school districts can minimize the public disruption.


Eric Quiring is an education attorney with Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney in Minneapolis, Minn. E-mail: ejq@ratwiklaw.com.