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U.S. Soccer suspends former Toledo coachs license following sexual misconduct allegations

On Wednesday, following a report from The Guardian concerning alleged sexual misconduct from former University of Toledo head coach Brad Evans, U.S. Soccer confirmed they have taken a number of immediate steps. Evans’ coaching license has been suspended, he has been blocked from accessing the federation’s learning center and he was removed from any study groups or courses he was in. Additionally, U.S. Soccer has notified SafeSport and leadership at the Ohio Soccer Association.

U.S. Soccer said that Evans was informed of all of these actions on Wednesday.

Brad Evans was head coach at Toledo for 13 years before he resigned from the post in 2015. After departing the role, he turned to youth soccer and education — serving as the head of coaching education for the Ohio Soccer Association, as well as coaching in the Olympic Development Program, plus his work as a U.S. Soccer instructor.

The Guardian’s reporting includes multiple first-hand reports from former players and coaches, including Candice Fabry, who recalled an incident involving Evans from 2007. She met with him at a restaurant, along with his wife and another member of the coaching staff to accept a role as an unpaid assistant coach.

“I remember my back against the wall. I remember his tongue in my mouth. I remember feeling him pushed up against my body. I remember his tongue. I remember his hands in my pants and in my underwear. And that’s where I leave my body,” Fabry told The Guardian.

On Wednesday, Fabry shared the article and tweeted, “I was groomed, humiliated, manipulated, & sexually assaulted. I was not the only one.”

Other reports included additional incidents of alleged sexual misconduct, as well as a culture of drinking and Evans making comments about players’ weight and physical appearance.

The University of Toledo provided a statement to The Guardian that said an investigation had been opened in January 2015, following a report of verbal harassment from a player, but by the time the investigation was complete, Evans had already resigned as head coach.

At the time of his resignation, Evans provided a statement that read, "A few weeks back I was asked to answer questions about my relationships about some past co-workers. It was clear that my interactions with those co-workers demonstrated poor judgment on my part, and were against university policy, and resigning was best for all involved."

Evans was hired by the state association after that statement was released.

In October, U.S. Soccer opened an independent investigation, led by Sally Q. Yates of Spalding LLP, concerning abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in women’s professional soccer following reports from The Athletic and The Washington Post on NWSL coaches. The results of that investigation are still pending, with no estimated completion time — though president Cindy Parlow Cone has stated on numerous occasions that any immediate concerns will be addressed.

While Wednesday’s report does not fall under the original intent of the investigation, it’s likely that it will be considered by Yates and her staff. In February, Yates released a statement with an update on the investigation.

“The scope of our investigation is broad. We are investigating not only allegations of misconduct, but also the factors that may have contributed to, perpetuated, or concealed abuse. Our mandate is to find the truth and make recommendations to ensure that going forward, players are treated respectfully, wrongdoing is uncovered and addressed, and players are protected from harassment or retaliation.”

(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)

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Jenniffer Sheldon

Update: 2024-06-09