The University of Toledo’s longtime women’s soccer coach resigned from his post Monday because of inappropriate “relationships with past co-workers.”
Brad Evans, who coached the Rockets since 2001 and turned the program into a conference power, withdrew from his employment at UT effective immediately.
The school announced the decision Tuesday in a release.
Evans spoke to The Blade in a phone interview. When asked if his interactions with the co-worker were sexual, Evans declined to elaborate, saying, “I think going into detail would not be productive or respectful.”
He did say no students were involved.
Evans, who is married with two children, said he resigned of his own free will and UT did not force him.
Evans read a prepared statement expressing remorse for his behavior as the Rockets’ coach.
“A few weeks ago, I was asked to answer questions about my relationships with some past co-workers. It was clear to me that my interactions with those co-workers demonstrated poor judgment on my part, were against university policy, and resigning was the best for all involved,” Evans said. “This is another step in the process that I began over a year ago. With the help of counseling, I have learned a lot about the causes of my behavior.
“I am extremely lucky to have the support of my wife in this process. Together, I continue to learn to be a better person.
“I am deeply sorry to have disappointed the University of Toledo, the athletic department, and everyone affiliated with UT soccer. I am looking forward to a more positive future.”
Evans’ contract extension, signed in July, 2012, ran through December, 2016.
The Rockets accepted Evans’ resignation and have undertaken a national search to fill the position. Asked if he deemed Evans’ conduct to be inappropriate, UT athletic director Mike O’Brien said he could not comment further.
“With it being a personnel matter, I really can’t get into specifics,” O’Brien said.
Assistant soccer coaches Seth Taylor and Jessica Nei will oversee the day-to-day operations of the UT program until the Rockets hire a new coach, O’Brien said.
Evans took Ashland to the Division II NCAA tournament in four straight seasons before accepting the UT job in 2001. He led the Rockets to a league-record four NCAA berths and three Mid-American Conference regular-season championships, and won the MAC coach of the year in 2010 and 2011.
The women’s soccer program also set Toledo’s athletic department record for the highest grade-point average in a semester in the fall of 2014.
In the midst of rebuilding, the Rockets went 7-11-2 in 2014, though they went 3-2-1 in their final six games to earn a spot in the MAC tournament, where they lost to eventual champion Buffalo.
Evans said he will leave coaching altogether and that he plans to move to Akron, where he is from, and help run a business that has been in his family for more than 30 years. He said he is grateful for the chance UT gave him.
“I appreciate everything the University of Toledo has given me, and the opportunity has been a wonderful experience. I wish everybody the best of luck,” he said. “This is where we lived 14 years of our life. We’re ready to move to the next chapter.”
Contact Nicholas Piotrowicz at: npiotrowicz@theblade.com, 724-6110, or on Twitter @NickPiotrowicz
First Published February 25, 2015, 5:09 a.m.
