SJSU lets go of volleyball coach who filed complaint over transgender player's alleged plot to harm teammate

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SJSU lets go of volleyball coach who filed complaint over transgender player's alleged plot to harm teammate (www.foxnews.com)

Former San Jose State University assistant volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose's contract with the university expired Friday, and she has been told that it will not be renewed, she exclusively told Fox News Digital.

Her departure comes after a season plagued by a scandal involving a trans athlete, in which Batie-Smoose took a firm stance to oppose the university's defense of that athlete. She and her family initially moved to California from the East coast to accept the job in 2023.

"We didn’t make the decision to move our family across the country lightly, but I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I was meant to be at San Jose State to stand up for these young women and do everything I could to protect future generations. In my 30 years of coaching, this is one of the most amazing groups of young women that I've been around. Their strength and resiliency during a difficult season was inspiring and one of the reasons why I had to take a stand," she told Fox News Digital.

San Jose State declined to comment on Batie-Smoose's contract situation when contacted by Fox News Digital.

"SJSU does not comment on personnel matters," a university spokesperson said.

Batie-Smoose was suspended from the program on Nov. 2 after she filed a Title IX complaint against the university regarding its alleged handling of a situation involving former transgender player Blaire Fleming. The complaint included allegations that Fleming had conspired with an opponent to have Slusser hit in the face during a match in October.

"I spoke up for the young women on the team who were being silenced and gaslit while dealing with having a male athlete in their locker room, on the court and rooming with them on the road. I could not be silenced and manipulated any longer so I had to stand up for what was right," she said.

"Speaking out to protect these young women and future women was too much to ignore. This has cost me my job, but we need more coaches to stand up for what is right. I just have to pray that by doing the right thing that justice will prevail and I will be able to continue to do what I was meant to do."

Batie-Smoose is also currently engaged in a lawsuit against San Jose State and the Mountain West alongside 11 current and former conference players.

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Former San Jose State University assistant volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose's contract with the university expired Friday, and she has been told that it will not be renewed, she exclusively told Fox News Digital. Her departure comes after a season plagued by a scandal involving a trans athlete, in which Batie-Smoose took a firm stance to oppose the university's defense of that athlete. She and her family initially moved to California from the East coast to accept the job in 2023. "We didn’t make the decision to move our family across the country lightly, but I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I was meant to be at San Jose State to stand up for these young women and do everything I could to protect future generations. In my 30 years of coaching, this is one of the most amazing groups of young women that I've been around. Their strength and resiliency during a difficult season was inspiring and one of the reasons why I had to take a stand," she told Fox News Digital. San Jose State declined to comment on Batie-Smoose's contract situation when contacted by Fox News Digital. "SJSU does not comment on personnel matters," a university spokesperson said. Batie-Smoose was suspended from the program on Nov. 2 after she filed a Title IX complaint against the university regarding its alleged handling of a situation involving former transgender player Blaire Fleming. The complaint included allegations that Fleming had conspired with an opponent to have Slusser hit in the face during a match in October. "I spoke up for the young women on the team who were being silenced and gaslit while dealing with having a male athlete in their locker room, on the court and rooming with them on the road. I could not be silenced and manipulated any longer so I had to stand up for what was right," she said. "Speaking out to protect these young women and future women was too much to ignore. This has cost me my job, but we need more coaches to stand up for what is right. I just have to pray that by doing the right thing that justice will prevail and I will be able to continue to do what I was meant to do." Batie-Smoose is also currently engaged in a lawsuit against San Jose State and the Mountain West alongside 11 current and former conference players.

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