After a lengthy investigation, Central Michigan University gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard has been terminated from his position. At the outset, I have two observations: Michigan has certainly had its share of gymnastics scandals and he will, most probably, never coach gymnastics again. When coaches get mail-order medical degrees and elevating themselves to more than necessary, more than their position requires.
I Play a Physician on TV
In February 2019, Coach Jerry Reighard tried to force a student-athlete to cover up a discussion that they were having about the athlete’s concussion symptoms. In doing so, the coach willfully tried to destabilize the role of the independent medical staff in managing the possible concussion that the athlete suffered. He believed he knew better than the medical staff, and of course, he “steam-rolled” the concerns of the young athlete.
However, the incident was hardly isolated. The investigators determined that the coach created a tense, even hostile attitude toward the independent team of physicians and trainers. The medical team at CMU, like many other independent medical teams, was created to ensure that the health of the athletes is safeguarded above all other considerations. In this scandal, the coach determined that he was more knowledgeable than the medical staff. In addition, he attempted to bully the athlete to not complain to the medical authorities.
The Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at CMU, Michael Alford is quite concerned that the behavior of the fired coach could lead to NCAA sanctions. He went to the NCAA as the investigation unfolded and promised complete cooperation. Said Michael Alford:
“Our student-athletes and their families trust us to protect our students. We will not tolerate a callous disregard of safety. We will not tolerate actions that put students in the way of significant and even life-threatening injuries. Student safety at Central Michigan University is an absolute priority, always.”
The Time to Act – When Coaches Get Mail-Order Medical Degrees
Though after the investigation the coach and the union representatives were given two weeks to mount a response, it the end CMU proceeded to terminate the coach. Apparently, there will be some type of settlement. Nevertheless, it leads to some important ethical considerations.
It was no secret that the coach created a hostile environment between the gymnastics department and the medical staff well before he attempted to bully the athlete into disregarding concussion symptoms.
Aside from an apparent lack of oversite and a disregard of complaints of micro-aggressions, why were there no ethical expectations in place and indeed, why were there no ethical training programs?
The truest answer is that the coach got away with his behaviors simply because he could. He saw an opportunity to use his position of relative power to push his program into national prominence. His need for doing so was to maintain his small power base and perhaps, to attract bigger programs into hiring him.
How does a coach rationalize a disregard of concussions and for a complete disregard of the independent evaluations of the medical department in general? It comes down to arrogance. He was allowed unchecked power and he seized it. Either no one was around to make a reasonable complaint to higher authorities or worse – no one cared. This should not be all that surprising. If there are no ethical expectation why should there be disciplinary fears?
This scenario, while not as far out of hand or sexually abusive, was not that much different than giving Larry Nassar free reign at MSU. What, ultimately, safeguards gymnasts and other athletes? The answer is ethics.
