Yale University announced Wednesday that Brendan Faherty was no longer employed by the school after one season as head coach of the women's soccer program.
As reported by ctpost.com, the statement came as the Yale Daily News detailed its investigation into allegations of Faherty’s impropriety with his former players while he was coaching at the University of New Haven.
Faherty spent eight years as the UNH coach. He later coached at UMass, the University of Washington, and Stony Brook before he was hired by Yale in December 2018.
The Yale Daily News interviewed seven players who were on Faherty’s UNH teams from 2003 to 2009, resulting in the accusations. The school was presented with the allegations Monday and vice president for communications Nate Nickerson told the News on Wednesday that Faherty no longer was employed by Yale.
Faherty was the first coaching hire by athletic director Vicky Chun. His lone Yale team went 11-4-1 and posted four Ivy League wins — three more than the previous season.
“Through the interview and vetting process, no information regarding these allegations was provided to the university,” Chun said in a statement. “We fully support the women’s soccer team; I am meeting with them to offer resources during this difficult time and I look forward to charting a new path forward together. We know change is hard, but also know the strength and resiliency of our women’s soccer team will shine through this difficult time. Our student athletes are at the center of our decisions, and we know this is the right path forward.”
“Yale hired women’s head soccer coach Brendan Faherty in December of 2018, following the background check and careful review of previous employment conducted in every such hiring,” Yale said in a statement. “On November 18, 2019, the Yale Daily News shared deeply troubling information with the university, none of which was made known to the university in the interview and vetting process. As of November 20, 2019, Mr. Faherty is no longer employed by the university."
According to ctpost.com, UNH President Steven Kaplan said in a statement Thursday night that the school has hired an independent firm to investigate allegations against Faherty.
“Be assured that the university, and I personally as a parent and educator, are committed to maintaining a working and learning environment in which everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. There is absolutely zero tolerance for anyone who jeopardizes the safety or sense of self-worth of students, faculty, staff or any other member of the University family.
“We will endeavor to find the facts. Within the legal constraints concerning confidentiality, we will share as much as possible. We will address any concerns uncovered by the facts."
