UAB Investigates Softball Coach Taylor Smartt for Alleged Player Abuse

The UAB athletic department is investigating allegations of mental and physical abuse of players by head softball coach Taylor Smartt.

Smartt entered her second season with the Blazers in Birmingham, Alabama. Discussions about her coaching philosophy surfaced months after she arrived on campus. Nearly two years later, accusations of serious misconduct have prompted an athletic department investigation.

On April 25, Smartt stepped away from the UAB softball team as it headed to Florida for a three-game series with USF in the American Athletic Conference.

Rumors grew louder across Alabama, with softball coaches at various levels discussing issues allegedly occurring behind the scenes in Birmingham.

Maren Angus of Sports Illustrated first reported the story on Wednesday. Her reporting described Smartt as a coach pushing boundaries of acceptable behavior.

Smartt missed the final five games of the regular season and the conference tournament. UAB is taking appropriate steps to investigate the allegations of physical and mental abuse.

Multiple sources told OutKick that UAB administrators were stunned by the troubling nature of claims from players and parents.

The investigation prompted Smartt's break from the program.

On Thursday morning, OutKick sought comment from UAB. "Taylor Smartt has taken a step back from the program. We will make further comment when it’s appropriate," UAB's BJ Millican told OutKick. "We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive experience for our student athletes. When concerns are brought to our attention, we take appropriate steps to investigate them. Employment matters are handled between the institution and employees."

Sports Illustrated reported that Smartt allegedly punched a player twice in the dugout during UAB's game against East Carolina on March 27.

She also faces accusations of racial comments about a player's hair, calling it "jailhouse braids." A player's parent alleged Smartt told one UAB athlete to stop hanging out with her "charred" friends.

These claims led to a meeting with UAB athletic department administrators, including Athletic Director Mark Ingram and other officials. Other parents attended and said their children faced abuse from the Blazers' head coach. OutKick confirmed the meeting occurred.

Student-athletes and parents raised additional allegations. Sports Illustrated reported one player walked into an apartment and saw Smartt, another person linked to the UAB softball program, and a UAB softball player in a compromising position on the couch. OutKick confirmed a related complaint was filed.

The complaint alleged Smartt maintained an inappropriate relationship with a UAB student-athlete, including sleeping at the player's residence on multiple occasions.

UAB officials are investigating numerous other complaints from players and parents. These include an alleged remark from Smartt that she would take a UAB softball player "to the bathroom and loosen my a**hole for me" as a psychological tactic.

Off-field issues also sparked complaints. Smartt allegedly forced players during preseason workouts to push a Toyota 4Runner in neutral to start it moving, then run in front to stop it with their bodies.

Other complaints under investigation involve workouts and allegations that Smartt withheld money meant for players' meal expenses on away games.

The UAB softball season ended this week. OutKick sought comment from Smartt but received no response as of publication. OutKick also asked UAB's BJ Millican if Smartt is being paid during her absence but has not received a response. OutKick will update as more information becomes available.