Iowa State women's soccer coach accused of inappropriate behavior under contract through 2024
Iowa State women’s soccer coach Matt Fannon, who has been accused by former players of verbal abuse, body shaming and controlling behavior, has two years remaining on his contract.
The Des Moines Register obtained the contact through an open records request to Iowa State. Fannon was the subject of a six-month investigation by The Register that uncovered allegations of using a dangerous practice drill, public weigh-ins before and after practice, and outbursts during workouts.
He signed a five-year contract, which pays $150,000 annually, with Iowa State on Dec. 16, 2019. The contract includes seven different incentives, which Fannon has failed to meet in his three seasons in Ames. Fannon wrapped up his third season at Iowa State last week with a 2-0 loss at Kansas. The Cyclones have gone 11-27-9 during Fannon's tenure at Iowa State.
Fannon’s contract also states the coach should “uphold and fairly administer disciplinary regulations as they apply to student athletes in the soccer program. Fannon shall assure (with the assistance and support of the University) the fair and responsible treatment of student athletes in relations to health, welfare and discipline.”
Similar language exists in other Iowa State coaching contracts the Register has obtained.
Fannon began his coaching career at Wittenberg before going to Bowling Green State. During three seasons at Bowling Green State, Fannon guided the team to a 41-18-7 record and back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament in his final two seasons.
More:Peterson: Iowa State soccer allegations are alarming, especially in year 50 of Title IX
One of Fannon’s former players there, Alyssa Abernot, filed a Title IX complaint against Fannon and accused the coach of telling her she should get breast reduction surgery. Abernot, in an interview with The Register, said Fannon also made players weigh in before and after practice and would not start workouts until he viewed the results.
Fannon was cleared by the school of any wrongdoing in the Title IX complaint. But more issues arose in Ames.
Former Iowa State soccer player Olivia Wee accused Fannon of mistreatment, controlling behavior, and forcing her to play while injured. Eight other former members of the program, who spoke with The Register in the condition of anomymity, said change was needed in the program. Many backed up Wee’s descriptions of the program.
Fannon has not responded to multiple interview requests from The Register. Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard and Calli Sanders, senior associate athletics director/sports administration who oversees women's soccer for the school, also have declined interviews with The Register through a school spokesperson.
Angie Hunt, Iowa State's news service director, said the school could not comment on whether any Title IX complaints or complaints in general have been filed against Fannon.
More:Iowa State women's soccer coach Matt Fannon accused of mistreating players. Here's what we know
Fannon’s contract with Iowa State says “any conduct of Fannon which is in the opinion of the University would tend to bring public disrespect, contempt, scandal or ridicule of Fannon or the University, or which otherwise fails to follow the moral and ethical standard expected of Fannon as a leading representative of the Athletics Department or University,” would be cause for termination.
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: ISU coach accused of inappropriate behavior under contract through '24
