Idaho volleyball coach Chris Gonzalez placed on leave
Idaho volleyball head coach Chris Gonzalez, the target of a three-month investigation into allegations he has routinely abused Vandals players, was placed on administrative leave Wednesday, two players confirmed to the Southern California News Group.
Idaho athletic director Terry Gawlik informed players during a hastily called team meeting Wednesday afternoon that Gonzalez, a Southern California native and former U.S. national team coach, was told at 10 a.m. Wednesday that he had been placed on leave, the players said.
Gawlik apologized to the players several times for the way they have been treated, the players said. Gawlik herself has been the subject of harsh criticism for how she has handled repeated credible complaints alleging abusive behavior by Gonzalez since October 2022. Several current and former players as well parents and Idaho alumni have called on Gawlik to be fired.
Idaho hired a Texas law firm to investigate the culture of the school’s volleyball program under Gonzalez in response to a 9,000-word SCNG investigation in December that detailed allegations that the coach routinely physically, verbally, emotionally abused, bullied, body shamed players, pressured them to play or practice against the orders of the university’s sports medicine staff and denied players food. Players also alleged that on at least two occasions Gonzalez physically pushed players so hard in frustration or anger during practices that he knocked them over.
This story will be updated.
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