Young Coaches Resigning in Droves!? The Gateway to the Collapse of Youth Sports Was "Dealing with Parents": Insights from the SafeSport Investigation

Young Coaches Resigning in Droves!? The Gateway to the Collapse of Youth Sports Was "Dealing with Parents": Insights from the SafeSport Investigation

"Teaching children is fun. But managing parents has reached its limit."—Such voices persist in the field of youth sports. A national survey released by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, responsible for sports safety in the U.S., was reported by ESPN on January 29, 2026, revealing that "dealing with parents" ranks high among the reasons coaches want to quit.


"Dealing with parents" drains coaches' spirits

According to the ESPN article, open-ended responses in the survey included strong expressions from coaches about parents "creating tension, instilling distrust, and being more troublesome than the children."


Of course, not all parents cause problems. Most are likely cooperative and involved with the hope of their children's growth. However, the "overheated minority" in the field can quickly disrupt the daily coaching environment. Loud complaints, spreading doubts behind the scenes, exposure on social media, and pressure to win at all costs—when these elements combine, coaches find themselves spending more time "putting out fires" than teaching.


This SafeSport survey is the organization's first national "coach survey," conducted from October to November 2025, targeting 66 sports and 3,470 coaches. Most respondents have over ten years of experience, and more than 90% coach youth.
This suggests that it's not just "beginner coaches' complaints," but rather those with long-standing experience in the field who feel "at their limit."


Reasons for quitting aren't just "parents"—discrimination and organizational issues also play a role

The results introduced by ESPN show that coaches' dissatisfaction factors include not only dealing with parents but also retirement and organizational management issues. Additionally, over 35% reported experiencing discrimination based on gender, age, appearance, etc., from other coaches or parents.


Furthermore, the survey delved into "inappropriate behavior by other coaches," with more than half knowing coaches who verbally abuse adult referees, and about 40% knowing coaches who intentionally humiliate referees regardless of age.


What emerges here is that the sources of stress in youth sports extend beyond "parents vs. coaches" to issues of "relationships among adults" and "power and culture." If adults explode emotionally in front of children, sports transform from a learning environment into a "microcosm of a battlefield."


After "lack of referees" comes "lack of coaches"?

Coach burnout is directly linked to the number of participants and development in sports. The better the coach, the more they tend to overextend "for the children" and reach their limits. Meanwhile, if the environment becomes rough, it's not only those with resilience who remain. Those who can appease vocal parents or adapt to a coercive culture might survive, further entrenching the environment.


This scenario is already occurring in the world of referees. ESPN cites a 2023 survey by the National Association of Sports Officials, indicating that "unruly parents" are a major factor hindering job satisfaction.


According to NASO's announcement, this 2023 survey was a large-scale one, gathering responses from 35,813 officials.
A negative cycle is quietly progressing at the foundation of youth sports: fewer referees → harder to hold games → increased burden on coaches → more people leave.


The current state of the organization SafeSport

SafeSport is a nonprofit organization established under federal law in 2017, overseeing abuse and misconduct, primarily in Olympic-related sports.


Meanwhile, criticisms and confusion regarding its management and effectiveness have been reported. ESPN writes that former CEO Ju’Riese Colón left "last year," and Benita Fitzgerald Mosley is leading the "restructuring of the organization."


AP also details Colón's dismissal, the organization's challenges, and the situation where Fitzgerald Mosley is undertaking reforms as CEO.
Thus, the survey results also align with the context that SafeSport itself is compelled to "visualize the realities of the field and use them as material for reform."


Reactions on social media: Empathy and "wisdom for solutions" emerge simultaneously

The topic has spread on social media, with strong empathy for the sentiment that "this isn't just about sports."

1) "Same as in education"—adult aggression destroys the field

On Reddit threads, comments like "parents are also a reason teachers quit within the first three years" appear prominently.


In both sports and education, jobs that involve "facing children" somehow become "managing adult emotions." The shared sense is that exhaustion in the field is common across sectors.

2) A diagnosis of "community breakdown" as the background

The same thread includes opinions viewing the issue against the backdrop of societal division, such as "the sense of community has faded" and "the cycle of online approval and condemnation is brought into reality."


As victories and evaluations become tied to "life's anxieties," the heat on the sidelines tends to rise. There's an irony where sports become a stress amplifier rather than a stress reliever.


3) The "fear" from the referee's side—"I'd rather not do it than be yelled at"

On Reddit, even in adult recreational leagues, there are anecdotes of people not wanting to referee because they dislike being threatened, and former referees saying they would have continued if parents and coaches were reasonable.


This symbolizes the reality that sports operations rely on "goodwill bearers." When shouting and intimidation become the norm, goodwill dries up instantly.


4) The solution lies in "prevention"—"It's decided in the first 30 minutes"

On LinkedIn, youth coaches and stakeholders argue that "parents and coaches should be allies" and that "boundaries and standards of behavior are necessary."


In the comments section, practical knowledge is shared about holding a 30-minute parent meeting before the season starts to share "non-negotiable behaviors" and "consequences if violated" in advance, thus preventing trouble.


The reactions on social media are not just about "anger," but also about pooling wisdom on "how to protect the field," which is reassuring.


What should be changed: Practical measures to keep the field running

From here, I would like to organize "practical prescriptions" based on the survey and voices from social media.

Measure 1: Verbalize the "role" of parents and draw boundaries in advance

"Cheering" and "intervening" are different. If this remains ambiguous at the start, coaches will always be in "persuasion mode."
Even if only for a short time before the season, the following should be clarified.

  • Who gives instructions during the game

  • The NG line for words towards referees, opponents, and children

  • Complaint window (not saying it on the spot / who to say it to, when)

  • Gradual penalties for deviations (warning → ejection → suspension, etc.)

The practice of "sharing non-negotiable items at the start," as discussed on social media, is precisely this idea.

Measure 2: The league/club acts as a "shield" (not burdening individuals)

When coaches face parents individually, relationships tend to become strained. A third-party system is necessary.

  • Complaints are initially handled by the administration

  • Rule violations are enforced by the administration

  • Coach evaluations are not based solely on "wins and losses" (development indicators, retention rates, team culture, etc.)

According to the ESPN article, the consistent theme was coaches seeking "support in dealing with families."

Measure 3: Teach respect for referees, opponents, and teammates as a "sporting skill"

Youth sports are "practice for living in society" before they are practice for winning. Scenes of adults berating referees teach children "moments when aggression is justified."


The widespread recognition of verbal abuse and humiliation towards referees, as indicated by the SafeSport survey, should be addressed as a cultural issue.


Measure 4: Create pathways for consultation "before wanting to quit"

Burnout doesn't happen suddenly.

  • Peer support among coaches (including anonymous consultations)

  • Templates and support for handling "difficult parents"

  • Methods for recording harassment and escalation criteria


If the structure of "those who can endure remain" is left unchecked, the field will inevitably become rough. Those who should remain are not the "enduring ones," but those who can provide "good guidance."


Conclusion: Youth sports are determined by "adult behavior"

The reality highlighted by this survey is that children's sports experiences can be easily ruined by the "atmosphere created by adults."
And the reactions on social media show hope that improvements can be made through boundaries, systems, and prevention, rather than just blaming "the parents."


Sports are inherently a place for children to fail, learn, and challenge again. To protect that place, what is needed may not be the latest tactics, but the basics of "how adults behave in front of children."


Sources

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