Chattanooga, August 20, 2025
News Summary
Patrick Winecoff, the head coach for the Girls Preparatory School soccer team, has resigned following serious allegations of hazing and harassment within the program. An investigation found a long-standing pattern of troubling initiation activities and indicated that some coaching staff were aware but did not act. The school is taking steps to ensure a safe environment, with interim coaching staff appointed and plans for comprehensive training on anti-hazing policies. Parents and athletes have expressed significant discomfort related to the incidents.
Chattanooga – Patrick Winecoff, the head soccer coach at Girls Preparatory School (GPS), has resigned amid allegations of hazing and harassment within the soccer program. This decision comes after an investigation revealed a troubling pattern of hazing behaviors and initiation activities that have persisted over several years.
Megan Cover, the Head of School at GPS, informed the school community of Winecoff’s resignation through a letter, expressing the institution’s commitment to safety and respect among students. The investigation uncovered that certain coaching staff members were aware of the hazing but did not take adequate action to address these behaviors.
Parents and athletes have reported feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, and general unease linked to the hazing incidents that took place within the soccer team. Cover stated that the behaviors uncovered through the investigation are “antithetical to the school’s values,” underlining the severity of the situation.
In an additional note of concern, it was revealed that Cover’s two daughters were involved in one instance of hazing shortly after the family moved to Chattanooga. Winecoff had been a notable figure at GPS since 2014 when he began as the director of soccer operations and head coach. His extensive coaching experience includes a tenure with the Chattanooga Football Club’s women’s team, dating back to 1999 with the East Ridge Express under-18 girls’ team.
Under Winecoff’s leadership, the GPS soccer team achieved remarkable success, securing three TSSAA Division II-AA state championships in 2014, 2018, and 2022. The team was also a runner-up in 2020, achieving an impressive record of 135 wins, 34 losses, and 11 draws during his coaching tenure.
In light of the ongoing investigation, GPS has appointed Andy Sarjant, the school’s director of facilities, as the interim head coach. Allie Tennyson, GPS’s director of athletics and strategic partnerships, will assist Sarjant as the assistant coach. The school has expressed intentions to conduct a national search for a new soccer coach with the goal of preparing for the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
As part of its response to the hazing allegations, GPS plans to implement comprehensive training for athletes and staff focused on team culture, sportsmanship, and the importance of anti-hazing policies. The school aims to create a safe environment where athletes feel empowered to advocate for themselves and report any concerns related to bullying or hazing.
Moreover, Cover highlighted that the institution takes the matter seriously and will take further action based on what has been learned during this investigation, while maintaining confidentiality regarding any student disciplinary decisions.
Overview of Hazing Allegations at GPS
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Resignation | Head soccer coach Patrick Winecoff resigned amid hazing allegations. |
| Investigation Findings | Investigators identified a pattern of hazing and initiation behaviors historically occurring in the program. |
| Coaching Staff Knowledge | Some coaching staff members were aware of the hazing but did not intervene. |
| Feelings Reported | Athletes and parents reported feelings of discomfort and unease associated with hazing. |
| Interim Coaching | Andy Sarjant appointed as interim head coach; Allie Tennyson as assistant coach. |
| Future Training | Plans for training on team culture and anti-hazing to prevent future incidents. |
FAQ Section
What prompted the resignation of Coach Winecoff?
His resignation was a response to hazing allegations that came to light during an investigation into the soccer program at GPS.
What did the investigation uncover?
The investigation revealed that hazing and initiation activities had been a recurring issue within the soccer program for several years.
What actions has GPS taken following the allegations?
GPS has appointed new interim coaching staff and plans to implement training focused on anti-hazing policies and team culture.
How successful was the soccer program under Winecoff?
The GPS soccer team won three state championships and had an overall impressive record during his coaching tenure.
Will the school address the situation further?
Yes, GPS has indicated that further actions will be taken based on what has been learned from the investigation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: GPS Soccer Coach Resigns Over Pattern of Hazing
- News Channel 9: GPS Soccer Coach Resigns After Investigation Reveals History of Hazing
- Local 3 News: GPS Soccer Coach Resigns Amid Allegations of Hazing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hazing
- Chattanoogan: 3 Dogs Saved, 1 Dies In North
- Google Search: GPS Soccer Hazing Allegations
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