Help Us Investigate Abusive Coaches in Youth Sports

This investigative story explores why youth sports organizations have failed to protect children from sexual abuse by coaches who have been banned.

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has emerged as a particular issue, with eight coaches banned by SafeSport still working with children. SafeSport is the Congress-created center tasked with protecting kids in sports, and maintains a public list of banned coaches. The AAU denies individual case comments but states its commitment to athlete protection via comprehensive policies overseen by its Compliance Department.

One case highlighted is Texas volleyball coach Ryan Richardson, who continues coaching despite his SafeSport ban. He faced DHS investigation, but declined comment on ProPublica's and The Washington Post's reporting. When suspended in 2024, Richardson claimed the complaints were meant to "retaliate and defame someone’s character," insisting he "would never do anything to risk the physical or mental wellbeing of these strong young ladies."

The reporter intends to continue the investigation, seeking public input on two key questions: identifying other coaches on the SafeSport list still working with kids, and understanding how such abusive coaches manipulate and deceive parents. Specific interest is in basketball, where SafeSport influence is less than in other youth sports.

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