Former Oakland University women’s basketball alleged to have obsessed over players' weight, virginity, treated non-Christian players in a bigoted manner

Beckie Francis /Associated Press

Despite thirteen years of service and a record of 65 games over .500, including two NCAA tournament appearances, Beckie Francis was removed from her role as the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Oakland University in June, without any official explanation as to the reason behind the early termination.

Officials at the university began an internal investigation in April, with regard to Francis’ behaviour and conduct, which ultimately led to her dismissal.

According to anonymous players, interviewed by the Detroit Free Press, Francis was obsessed with the weight and physique of her players. The extent of this fixation culminated in Francis photographing the team in their bras and Spandex, allowing her to catalogue changes in player appearance. As a result, multiple girls are alleged to have developed eating disorders.

Stacey Farrell, an ex-player, described some of her experiences working under Francis: “Mental abuse is definitely the two words that describe my three years there”.

Francis is also said to have used her position of authority to push her religious beliefs onto her players. She is accused of forcing the team to visit church services and playing Christian propaganda on bus rides.

Farrell recalled Francis’ obsession with the puritan lifestyle, recalling some of the disgraced coach's language: “don't fraternize with the men's team… by the way, are you guys virgins? You guys are virgins, right? You haven't had sex, right?”

The revelations are all the more shocking given their timing and the rapid nature of Francis’ fall from grace. Only months before her firing, Francis had revealed to the Associated Press that as a girl her father had sexually assaulted her for nearly a decade. 

Francis was fired on June 12^th, her husband and Oakland University President announced he would be retiring from his position effective from August 1^st. As of yet, no reason has been officially given for his resignation.

The school issued a statement in June, regarding the incident: “Indications of conduct and behavior of the women’s basketball head coach, that if true could be malfeasance and materially adversely affect the orderly or efficient operation of the women’s basketball program, came to the attention of an Oakland University administrator in April.”

Francis released a statement the following week: “Instead of focusing on my views with respect to recent events regarding my employment, it has always been in my nature to stay positive. I have greatly enjoyed coaching the student-athletes over the years at Oakland University. I have challenged myself personally, professionally and spiritually, and I am looking forward to the future.”

'The problem was she was the wife of the president,' said a former player who asked not to be identified.

'It was so frustrating because you couldn’t run to anyone. Tracy (Huth) couldn’t do anything; the assistant coaches couldn’t do anything because at the end of the day, their boss went home to her.’

Is this an isolated case or does more need to be done to protect our young athletes? Let me know in the comments section.