Metcalf steps down from coaching at University of Washington

GregCanSuckaDick wrote:

Yeah, sucks how Metcalf can call a girl a c*** and get away with it for two years am I right? For that POS, it was a long time coming, he's sexually, verbally and physically abused his athletes for the last decade.

It's a disgrace this shell of a man was able to get away with this egregious behavior and people looked the other way - including assistant coaches. How does a man find himself gainfully employed after even a single offensive remark like this ? The university was seriously remiss with that hire. If he was given a warning at some point in the past, as several posters indicated, the university could be found at fault for not policing his conduct more closely. I imagine most parents would be irate to learn their child was a target of such verbal abuse. He's done for. No private institution will ever hire him. He's a major liability.

SWOAR wrote:

Shadow Lurker wrote:

Let’s not equate this to sexual harassment. No where has that been suggested by anyone in either story nor with any credibility in this thread.

My experience wasn't sexual harassment necessarily (although the men on our team admitted on more than one occasion that he had told them he only recruits good looking women). I know the examples I gave have to do w/ sexual abuse, but I was referencing them more to prove there's a current trend where more men are getting called out for abuse of power -doesn't have to be sexual- and for building a culture of fear so that they can continue to exploit others and not be held accountable.

I remember reading your story and relating to a lot of it. Over the years I’ve met more and more female (and male) accounts of this kind of treatment. It is rampant.

This is interesting timing because I just got back from a Strong Runner Chicks retreat where a lot of these kind of issues were discussed. Sharing and discussion is the first step, but we want action.

The retreat sounds like a good thing and is very empowering. However, there is already enough action being done. I don't know if you are familiar with how NCAA investigations work, but you are essentially guilty until proven innocent. If a female athlete or male athlete were to go to the AD about heavy issues concerning a coach, he would either be investigated internally or through the NCAA. What happens? Well the coach immediately gets suspended and cannot contact ANYONE within the university unless there is some sort of union/lawyer middleman they can go through. Human resources won't even interact with you. You are completely barred from the University and anyone associated with it. If found that you have had contact, you are done.

These investigations go on and on and on and on. Many times they are looking to prove the coach guilty. In the meantime an interim coach is named and if the charges get cleared up but the head coach has his contract renewal also approaching, a lot of universities will not renew the coach anyways. Best to avoid controversy.

I am not saying any of this is wrong or right. I am just telling you the facts of how the system works. They come down extremely hard on coaches if there is even a sniff of this. If they so happen to not do this, then there is something wrong with the administration. Most of the time everyone is trying to cover for themselves so that is very likely. I just want us to avoid the slippery slope of overreacting when instances like this happen. Emotional trauma is tough but it also clouds the facts that are in front of us. There are over 300 Division 1 head coaches out there, but very little are like Greg or worse.

Wouldn't a 'strong runner chick' have comments about weight just roll off them like water off a duck's ass rather than crumple them like an aluminum can in a car crusher?

I don't think 'strength' necessitates a discussion group.

Really? These allegations have been going on for 16 years just with this one coach. That’s a slow investigation.

Strong, actually wrote:

Wouldn't a 'strong runner chick' have comments about weight just roll off them like water off a duck's ass rather than crumple them like an aluminum can in a car crusher?

I don't think 'strength' necessitates a discussion group.

You think it’s up to the victim to change? This isn’t just some random internet troll making comments about their weight. It’s their coach, who is in a position of authority over their athletic careers.

Strong, actually wrote:

Wouldn't a 'strong runner chick' have comments about weight just roll off them like water off a duck's ass rather than crumple them like an aluminum can in a car crusher?

I don't think 'strength' necessitates a discussion group.

Also unless you have been an 18-year-old female, and sometimes even younger, you have no say in what makes a woman strong.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

Really? These allegations have been going on for 16 years just with this one coach. That’s a slow investigation.

Apparently he was warned in 2014 I believe. The article says the allegations have been going on for a long time but we don't know when/how that was brought to the attention of the administration. Also, its likely there has been a change of administration since he has been there for so long. Look, I get you are pissed, but you are painting a broad picture of the situation in D1 athletics. Frankly, its very illogical and won't solve anything I believe. The system is good but not perfect (no system can be that way). Greg slipped through for a long time but there are plenty of coaches who got destroyed immediately (Harvard coach, Arizona throws coach, etc.). Maybe someday in the future when the world is like the movie Minority Report we will be able to do what you want to be done.

Since you double posted, I think I'll do the same.

Look, "rampant" is really vague in a situation like this. By definition, it implies something is spreading left unchecked or even flourishing. Greg was certainly checked and stamped out. Same for the Harvard coach. Nothing about these situations are spreading like wildfire through the coaching ranks. Honestly, claiming that this is all rampant sounds like an excuse to do nothing (no solution) and complain ("need action!!").

So, I'll offer you some actual solutions:

1) Show me the specific instances of misconduct and lets fight it together.

--This doesn't have to be me or you necessarily. This means the community at large. Washington had a specific problem. Some individuals identified it, and fought it together. He has been there for 16 years but we don't know if there were 16 years of complaints. We don't know how big his "complaint file folder" was--if there even was one. Some athletes like Schmitt never seemed to experience any of what was going on. So when stuff happens, we need to come together and call people out on it (like they already did).

2) Educate people

---The women's group you went to is very, very good. You let people know that this kind of stuff may happen. You talk about your experiences and educate each other. This makes people a lot more brave to speak out so #1 can be enabled to happen. However, when you start claiming this is rampant, you undermine all of this. Being a victim is horrible. Giving into your circumstances because of the supposed rampant spread of misconduct is not good either. Doesn't do anyone any good. You need to keep lifting them above their victim hood instead of feeling like they are floating in the tides of misfortune and encourage them to take action.

3) Let the administration take action

---At the end of the day, the administration had to fire the guy because they employ him. Some don't do this. That is their bad and not because of widespread coaching misconduct. That is a specific instance of bad administration that don't grasp the situation.

In case you haven't noticed, all of these things happened to get Greg out. Kids identified they were being wronged, talked about it amongst themselves and corroborated stories, and then went to admin to let him get canned. I guess these solutions really aren't nothing new in the end though because the system is doing a pretty good job.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

Also unless you have been an 18-year-old female, and sometimes even younger, you have no say in what makes a woman strong.

Generally the way things work in this world are such that if you have been an 18 year old female you've also been younger, and not just sometimes.

Hey I just skipped to the last page but was this guy coaching at UoW say 15 years ago? I knew some runners there back then.

I never criticize grammar in posts but this is just a mess. Please refrain from drinking and posting.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

Strong, actually wrote:

Wouldn't a 'strong runner chick' have comments about weight just roll off them like water off a duck's ass rather than crumple them like an aluminum can in a car crusher?

I don't think 'strength' necessitates a discussion group.

Also unless you have been an 18-year-old female, and sometimes even younger, you have no say in what makes a woman strong.

Well all I've been hearing lately is that women and men are equal. I have been and 18 year old, therefore I have been an 18 year old woman.

Check. Mate.

That site is hilarious by the way. I particularly enjoyed the calendar.

The problems with most coaches is that their egos are enormous and they think they’re gods gift to the sport. For instance I’m pretty sure this asshat thought he was one of the top coaches in the NCAA... maybe he recruited some good athletes and they just managed to get it done and stay healthy. He won a national title and it got to his head. I’m sure most of you agreed that he was a top coach in the NCAA.

Helllllllll NO, like others said he was a car salesman type who could manipulate people. Take for Instance a guy like Steve magness, man this chump Metcalf couldn’t go toe to toe and match wits with him if his life depended on it. So in no way does he deserve a job like UW or even a mid major like Houston. A lot of these younger coaches coming up have the knowledge and tools to develop athletes, and they’re not gonna mentally or physically abuse them in the process. Hope this guys career is complete done!

Ah yes, ad hominem attack. The last gasp of a dying argument. Not that you had one anyway. A thread was made but no one wants to discus the issue.

Thank you for posting some advice for solutions and I agree with you. What you’ve suggested is the overall goal. I’m certainly not perfect, so thank you for pointing out some problems I may not be able to identify in myself as easily.

You guys do know how well connected Greg Metcalf is right? He’s going to be back in NCAA DI P5 coaching by the end of this coming week if he wants to be.

Oh I don’t doubt it.. I never said the system wasn’t flawed. Just saying when it’s all said and done he’s a lot of fluff and no true ability lies there.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

Really? These allegations have been going on for 16 years just with this one coach. That’s a slow investigation.

There is far from enough action being done to put a stop to such terribly abusive behaviors by D1 coaches.

That Greg Metcalf got away with what he did for such a long time is just one example.

There are apparently a large number of D1 coaches on this thread who think his behavior was okay.

Personally I think the abuse is rampant, out of control, and not nearly enough is being done to stop it.