We are currently dealing w/a 72 yr old, very narcissistic, (high school) coach who degrades the players by calling them names like stupid, idiot, moron, mentally retarded, to name a few. One girl on the team is very intelligent and makes good grades. He asked her, "How can you be so stupid at volleyball but so smart in school?"

The parents of one of the girls went directly to the coach last night asking what their daughter could do to improve so that she would be able to participate in practice, rather than just shagging balls, which is what our daughter does, as well. He said she was timid and shy, which is the opposite of this girl's personality, and went on to say "everybody loves me" and other self-inflating statements. After the most recent loss, during the post-game huddle, he told the girls, "I think I did a good job..........you girls didn't."

He has completely demolished our daughter's desire and love for the game. She wants to quit, and if he's coming back next year, she doesn't want to play. It will be her Sr year, and the last year she would get to play. She will miss out on Sr Night when she would get to walk out on the court and just being able to have that feeling of accomplishment of playing since she was in the 4th grade.

I'm afraid to go to the Athletic Director (who is new to the school this year!) for fear of how our daughter would be treated afterward. I know, I know, how could it possibly be any worse?!

The girls had to sign a code of ethics, which they must abide by. Why is this standard not expected from the adult which should be the one setting the example. If a teacher was calling a student mentally retarded during class because he/she didn't understand a math problem, I can't imagine this would be acceptable. This is bullying. In our state, bullying by another student is illegal...it's a law!!! How can this coach do this? Why is this type of behavior by coaches swept under the rug? There is power in numbers, but I'm sure the other parents don't want any negative retaliation against their girls for speaking out, so I don't know that I could get too many on board w/going to the new AD.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks