Turns out it's not the kids driving coaches out of youth sports. It's the parents.
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A new survey from the U.S. Center for SafeSport reveals what anyone on the sidelines could've guessed — coaches are fed up. Verbal abuse, harassment, and complete chaos from parents are pushing many to walk away from the game.
"They created tension. They instilled distrust. They were worse than children," one coach said in the survey, via ESPN. And that about sums it up.
SafeSport polled nearly 3,500 coaches across 66 sports. Most have over a decade of experience. A huge chunk said the constant battles with parents have made them consider quitting. Others pointed to internal drama, discrimination, or just flat-out burnout.
Over one-third of coaches said they've faced discrimination based on their sex, age, or appearance — and it's not just from other coaches. Parents are in that mix, too.
It's not just the coaches feeling the pressure. Officials have been waving the same red flags. A 2023 survey found 40% of refs pointed to unhinged parents as the main reason their job sucks.
And it's not just sideline noise. Coaches say they've seen fellow coaches swearing at refs, humiliating them, even trash-talking teens in front of crowds. Nearly four in 10 said they've witnessed flat-out abusive behavior.
Female coaches reported an even darker side. Compared to men, they were four times more likely to hear coaches talking about their sex lives with players. More than 10% said they'd been sexually harassed. And 60% said they've faced discrimination on the job.
Coaches with disabilities also reported higher levels of abuse and disrespect.
The report calls for better training, stronger oversight, and help in dealing with the parents. Because until that part gets fixed, good coaches are going to keep walking away.
And when the coaches quit, youth sports lose.
