Banned Youth Volleyball Coach Ryan Richardson Continues Coaching Despite Misconduct Allegations

Misconduct Allegations Surface at Texas Club

Girls’ volleyball coach Ryan Richardson engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor, according to findings by an oversight group, while major sports organizations failed to prevent him from continuing to coach children, as reported by ProPublica.

The case centers on Texas Fierce Elite, a club based in the border city of Pharr, Texas. Richardson spent more than 15 years coaching youth teams there. According to ProPublica, the organization overseeing volleyball in the state, Lone Star Region Volleyball, suspended Richardson in early 2024 following complaints regarding his Instagram posts, which included a mirror selfie posing in boxer briefs.

National Inquiries and Investigations

The investigation escalated to USA Volleyball, the sport’s national governing body. Center for SafeSport, an oversight body established to police abuse in youth and Olympic sports, which suspended Richardson and placed his name on its public disciplinary list.

According to ProPublica, a mother alleged that Richardson began having sex with her daughter when the player was 16 years old and Richardson was 36. Additional players also came forward to report that Richardson had groomed, physically abused, and emotionally abused them, as detailed in reporting by ProPublica and The Washington Post.

Vulnerable Communities and Systemic Failures

Despite the bans and mounting allegations, sports organizations failed to keep Richardson from interacting with young athletes.

ProPublica noted that the region served by Richardson’s club is more than 90% Latino with poverty rates more than double the national average, where families often viewed club sports as a vital pathway to college scholarships.

Gym Meeting and Parental Deception

He promised the suspension would go away in a matter of weeks. ProPublica

According to ProPublica, Richardson gathered parents in the back room of his gym in Pharr, Texas, following his initial suspension to claim that the disciplinary action stemmed from complaints about playing time rather than the verified misconduct allegations.