Olentangy emails allege profane, abusive coaching with Liberty hockey; ex-coach disputes

The allegations of profane, abusive and sexist language flowed like slapshots into an empty net, according to emails and written statements by anonymous parents and hockey players at Olentangy Liberty High School amid the recent resignation of the team's head coach and two of his assistants.

Kevin Alexander, whose Feb. 28 resignation as head coach was announced by Olentangy Schools on Monday, told The Dispatch that much of it was embellished and that reputations and a championship program have been unfairly ruined.

"Three great coaches lost in trying to raise good young men, and 20 great kids lost because they're not playing in their (state tournament) this weekend," he said. "I won't apologize for being a demanding coach."

The emails and written statements from Olentangy Schools followed a public records request from The Dispatch. They describe the varsity coaching staff forging an "extremely toxic environment" with belittling and abusive language, including repeated use of the F word and derogatory references to women.

Alexander said the comments are exaggerations if not outright lies.

"I think you're seeing the worst of it piled on after 10 years of an impeccable record by me ... hundreds of amazing moments with these kids," he said.

The problems, according to one of the emails, extended from former Liberty head coach Jack Hoogeveen, who resigned in 2018 under similar circumstances. He is now an assistant varsity coach for Upper Arlington, according to the team's website.

"He broke many rules and condoned this reckless behavior," an email to school officials states of Alexander, 55, whom Hoogeveen mentored. In a 2018 message to The Dispatch, Hoogeveen conceded that he had used profane language while coaching.

Two of Alexander's assistants, Darwin McClelland and Richard Smith, resigned prior to Alexander doing so. The team ended its season Saturday with a 4-2 loss to St. Charles in the regional final, a year after winning the OHSAA championship, a first for a Greater Columbus hockey program.

McClelland is alleged to have told a player two years ago, "Looking at your (expletive) face makes my skin crawl," a comment verified by other players, according to an email.

The names of parents and hockey players were redacted in the emails and 13written statements from players. The Dispatch was not able to verify their authenticity.

In an apparent Q&A with Liberty hockey players, they were asked to describe the culture of the hockey program.

"Very toxic at the current moment. Every win we have had felt like a loss with every player," a player responded, describing coaches picking on certain players.

Another player said that teammates advocated for others, at times admonishing coaches for their language.

One described abuse reaching a breaking point, stating "coaches at this point have crossed the line with social, emotional health."

Another said, "players do not feel emotionally safe, most people don’t feel safe."

Alexander said he was told by two attorneys that once he and his coaches had been suspended that "we were already toast," and there was no chance of keeping their jobs. That's why they didn't fight.

He said he also didn't want to be more of a distraction to his players. "I thought they deserved better," he said.

The coaches were placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 20 as the school district investigated allegations. After previously declining to detail the allegations, the district said Monday in announcing the resignations that it had received "reports that the former coaches used inappropriate language with student athletes and behaved in a manner inconsistent with their duty to serve as role models."

Alexander said rough language is routine in all sports, especially football, hockey and other team sports where tempers can flare.

He said much of the criticism is related to lack of playing time and that even many of the players' parents use profane language in a non-threatening way during senior nights. "You can't imagine the number of F-bombs dropped by the parents," he said.

The school district investigation and resignations are a sign of changing times, Alexander said. "In the old days you just had to win," he said.

Alexander said he'll continue leading his title insurance company and remain active in hockey "in the old man's league," he joked.

"We leave with much love for the kids and never, never would have hurt any of these kids."

After leading Liberty to the 2023 state title, Alexander was named The Dispatch's All-Metro Coach of the Year for hockey and its overall Coach of the Year at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards.

dnarciso@dispatch.com