Swim coach Scott MacFarland, who has been accused by a former swimmer of starting a sexual relationship with her when she was 17 years old in the 1980s, has resigned from his coaching role at the Magnolia Aquatic Club and “retired from coaching” according the club’s head coach.
An announcement posted on the team’s site says that he made the decision on April 16th. That announcement reads:
“On Monday, April 16th Coach MacFarland decided to retire from coaching and submitted his letter of resignation. MAC accepted his letter of resignation and we wish Coach Scott well in this new chapter of his life. We will continue to work to provide all our athletes with the best possible training. Coach Katie Callan-Worhle has stepped in to provide us help in this transitional period.”
Ehekircher first filed a complaint against her former coach, with whom she lived, with USA Swimming’s Center for Safe Sport in 2010, but at the time, the national board of review process did not find sufficient evidence that MacFarland was in violation of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct. MacFarland maintains that Ehekircher was 18 when the relationship became sexual; relationships between coaches and their adult swimmers were not outlawed until 2013.
“The only thing that has changed for me, is that he is presently not on a pool deck,” Ehekircher said of the move. “This does not change my pursuit of getting him banned from ever coaching again.
“It’s a good thing, he should never have been allowed to continue coaching after my complaint in 2010. But because of the severely flawed NBOR, which I believe was already decided before it began, he was allowed to continue being around impressionable young girls.
“I will continue to fight for changes in the Amateur sports act, changes within USA Swimming, and NGB’s.
“For now, I can breath a small sigh relief- knowing that, for now- he will not hurt another swimmer.”
Within the last few months, Ehekircher has reopened the case via a report to the US Center for Safe Sport – a similar organization to the USA Swimming Center that reaches across youth sports organizations. New USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey has also agreed to meet Ehekircher face-to-face to discuss her allegations against MacFarland.
MacFarland was listed as a Pre-National & National Team Coach with the club as recently as April 21st, according to a Google cache of the team’s site.
Updated with Ehekircher’s reaction.
He said their sexual relationship did not start until she was 18 and he was no longer her coach. Ehekricher’s allegation is the only one filed against him. In the MeToo and post-US gymnastics scandal hysteria, we’re giving too much credence to allegations not supported by facts. The board previously heard all the facts available and determined no action was necessary. Now this man’s reputation and career are ruined because of the unsupported claims of one woman.
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I might get egged for saying this but…..they lived together? And accusing him 25 years or so after the fact? I absolutely do not support any underage or coach/athlete relationship, but something seems off to me.
She moved in with him while she was still a minor after her father and step mother kicked her out of the house – there doesn’t seem to be much dispute about that.
Gotcha – thanks for clarifying. I completely agree.
How does a parent legally kick out a minor child?
In a perfect world, they can’t. Our world is not perfect, and in the 1980s in matters of child welfare, it was probably far further from perfect.
She was 17, and he was 34. He thought it was good idea for her to move in with him.. she slept on the couch, until he made his move.. it’s much more complicated than what you’re making it out to be.
The previous article said she ‘was kicked out’ of home ( surely a child welfare matter) & he offered her a roof . The s*x stuff apparently happened at 17 on a trip to Ca .
Umm did this girl have no mother , no other family that she goes to live with a 30 year old non related male? Who paid for her upkeep , who was the Guardian that signed all her school & health affairs? Sou ds more like child trafficking or a cult .
As a follow up – did not realize they were living together when she was 17. That is pretty messed up and sad she ended up in that situation.
A great coach
I’m pretty sure his behavior out ranks, any part of how good/not good a coach he is/was..
Because you know everything about the situation from reading 2 articles
I am well aware of the entire situation..
Okay
Not a great coach. Taking advantage of a vulnerable young woman for your sexual pleasure is easily disqualifying. There is no amount of “results” that can overcome even one such incident.
Your comment helps perpetuate the cultural problem we are dealing with in swimming.
A great coach knows and honors the boundaries of his or her relationship with minor athletes. Clearly the scope of the coach-minor athlete relationship extends well beyond how to do a 400 IM and a great streamline. A great coach seeks counsel and education to learn about healthy human development Grooming behavior often involves alienating the parents and an offer of safety for the targeted child. A great coach knows and honors this.
There is a news story on the club site dated April 22 that he resigned/retired.
Adios!