The independent review of former Utah swim and dive coach Greg Winslow concluded July 2 when investigators found that the embattled coach did not physically or sexually abuse any athletes during his six-year tenure at the U.
The three-month comprehensive review by attorneys Alan Sullivan, John Nielsen and Michael Glazier came following complaints from Utah swimmers and their parents about possible abuse from Winslow. He was simultaneously under investigation for alleged sexual abuse in Arizona during his time as a coach there.
“The athletics department responded promptly and effectively in response to complaints from the swimmers and their parents regarding coaching abuses,” Sullivan said. “The department put a plan in motion to deal with the problem.”
The investigation did reveal that Winslow’s alcohol abuse was a problem that diminished his ability to coach and resulted in violence against one of his assistant coaches in July 2011.
“It’s hard for us to understand why the athletics department would choose to retain Winslow as a coach after he physically assaulted his assistant, Charlie King, in a drunken rage,” Sullivan said. “We believe the [athletic] department failed in its duty to protect the athletes on the team in that regard.”
Although Winslow was suspended in February of this year without the intent to renew his contract, investigators said they felt he should have been fired as soon as the athletics department caught wind of his drunken attack on King.
U president David Pershing said the athletics department is making improvements to deter future incidents and has asked that the improvements be implemented by August 15.
Despite the failure to properly deal with Winslow’s actions, Utah athletics director Chris Hill will keep his job.
“From the time I learned of this problem last year, I’ve been committed to understanding the truth,” Pershing said. “After thoroughly reviewing this report it is clear that the university did not do what it should have. I am disappointed that Chris Hill did not exercise sufficient oversight of the associate athletic director who had responsibility for the swimming program. Specifically given the seriousness of the complaints about coach Winslow, I would have expected Chris to follow up frequently and seriously with the associate A[thletic] D[irector].”
Pershing said he is confident that Hill is committed to making necessary improvements and expects him to do a better job going forward.
Hill said he regretted how the situation was dealt with and apologized for the way in which the coaching situation was handled. However, even in the midst of the controversy, he said never considered resigning.
“I knew what I did. I knew what I could do better,” Hill said. “The president has been very supportive of me and that’s where it gets down to this place. This is personal for me, this place. And if I thought I was in the way of having things be successful, I wouldn’t want to do it anymore. This is my home. I have my family here. If I thought in any way that the health and safety of our student-athletes were in any way in trouble, I wouldn’t want to do it. You know, because it means too much.”