Reports online are detailing the allegations against the University of Texas Permian Basin women's head soccer coach made in an anonymous letter last week.
KMID-TV, a news station out of Odessa, reported that Carla Tejas was arrested Sept. 11 on suspicion of driving under the influence after failing a series of field sobriety tests.
After her arrest, an anonymous group of students claiming to be soccer team members sent a letter to university officials describing alleged inappropriate behavior from Tejas such as illegal conduct, NCAA infractions and inappropriate behavior.
KMID reporter Kayler Smith said the letter alleges that Tejas asked players for help to pay her bail from the drunken-driving arrest. Smith also said that the letter states Tejas had physical interactions with members of the UTPB men’s soccer team, including kissing in public.
"The anonymous group of student-athletes outlined allegations of a negative team culture, and verbal and mental abuse from the first year head coach for the Lady Falcons in a 1154 word letter to members of the NCAA, Lone Star Conference, and UTPB officials," Smith tweeted.
Other claims made against Tejas in the letter include that she distributed alcohol to minors and that the coach encouraged them to hurt members of opposing teams. Players said they think one of their own team members is a Uruguayan national not enrolled in the university, Smith tweeted.
UTPB officials said in a statement to KSAT-TV that the university is aware of the allegations against the coach.
"These kinds of allegations are taken very seriously," the statement said. "Right now, our focus is on our women’s soccer team and providing any additional support our players need. Because this is an ongoing personnel matter, the University will not be able to comment further at this time."
Tejas is accused of violating NCAA rules by re-entering a game that she was ejected from in disguise and that she continued coaching via walkie-talkie.
UTPB men’s assistant soccer coach Elmer Zayala will take over for the women’s team, KSAT-TV reported. An investigation is ongoing.
