Southern Utah Volleyball Coach Danielle Jensen Under Investigation After Player Complaints

Fifteen Players File Complaints Against Southern Utah Volleyball Coach Danielle Jensen

Fifteen of the 17 rostered student-athletes on the Southern Utah University volleyball team filed formal complaints against head coach Danielle Jensen, alleging mental and physical abuse, NCAA Countable Athletically Related Activities (CARA) violations, and retaliation against whistleblowers, Volleyball On SI reported. The investigation involves multiple campus offices, including the Dean of Students Office and civil rights investigators.

The Thunderbirds hold a 1-19 record on the season and stand at 0-10 in Big Sky Conference play. Since moving to Division I in 2009, the program has recorded only one winning season outside of a 9-8 finish during the COVID-shortened season.

Administrators Acknowledge Student and Parent Concerns

Six student-athletes and two parents spoke with Volleyball On SI on the condition of anonymity, pointing to fears of retaliation. Documentation consisting of email messages delivered to university authorities—such as President Mindy Benson, Athletic Director Myndee Kay Larsen, Deputy Athletic Director and COO Todd Brown, Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities Michael Blake, and civil rights investigators—was provided by them.

In a Sept. 5, 2026, email to Benson, a parent described an increasingly difficult environment for the players and asked that Jensen and assistant coach Camber Dodson be removed from their roles while the review took place. The email also alleged that the team went without a scheduled day off since Aug. 23, which would violate NCAA Bylaw 17.1.5.4 requiring one calendar day off per week during the playing season.

Athletic Director Myndee Kay Larsen replied to a second parent on Sept. 6, 2026, stating that the department was taking the claims seriously and working through proper reporting channels. On Sept. 7, 15 players met with Larsen and Brown as a group to discuss workloads, team culture, and treatment by the coaching staff.

Players Describe Long Travel Days Without Meals

Throughout interviews with Volleyball On SI, players and parents repeatedly raised concerns regarding food access and nutrition. Two players described participating in double-day practices—consisting of three hours of morning practice, an hour of lifting, and three more hours in the afternoon—before receiving a meal.

Player 2 told Volleyball On SI about enduring nine-hour stretches without food during travel days. “There’s been multiple occasions we wake up at three in the morning and we don’t get fed until 11,” she said. Players added that they do not consistently receive per diem money while traveling.

In April 2014, the NCAA removed meal and snack restrictions for Division I athletes to provide unlimited access to food, moving past the prior rule that limited three daily meals strictly to scholarship players.

Punishment and Fear of Retaliation on the Roster

Student-athletes detailed instances of strict discipline for minor infractions. Player 1 recalled an incident where the team traveled for seven hours without food. Three players bought a snack at the airport and arrived two minutes late to the shuttle, resulting in running punishments at the next practice.

Ongoing Investigations and Data Privacy Concerns

University investigations are proceeding through separate channels. In an Oct. 14 email to university investigator Brett Pruitt, Player 2 questioned whether her individual complaints encompassed the entire roster. Pruitt responded that he was investigating allegations under University Policy 5.27, while Blake examined matters under Policy 12.3. He added that they had conducted interviews together for efficiency but were handling different policy processes.

An additional inquiry into coaching abuse is active through the Dean of Students Office, according to legal counsel representing one of the student-athletes. Players entered a five-day window beginning Oct. 22 to formally respond to initial findings.

A separate issue emerged when a person familiar with the case alleged that Player 2’s private medical and personal records were improperly shared with unauthorized individuals. Smith received an email outlining Player 2’s grievances, and in response, he pledged to issue fresh interview inquiries to individuals implicated in the supposed release of the findings. A university spokesperson stated that the institution cannot publicly discuss specific allegations or personnel matters while investigations remain ongoing.

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