{"id":12211,"date":"2026-03-13T16:30:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T22:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/former-fort-lewis-college-basketball-coach-denies-claims-of-toxic-culture\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:32:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:32:41","slug":"former-fort-lewis-college-basketball-coach-denies-claims-of-toxic-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/former-fort-lewis-college-basketball-coach-denies-claims-of-toxic-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Fort Lewis College basketball coach denies claims of \u2018toxic\u2019 culture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Former
Former Fort Lewis College basketball coach Bob Pietrack \u2013 who resigned in 2024 amid allegations of using racial slurs and engaging in bullying behavior \u2013 said he is the victim of a \u201cdevastating and malicious\u201d defamation attack by a former friend and colleague. (Durango Herald file)<\/span>du1-i-syn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Former Fort Lewis College basketball coach Bob Pietrack \u2012 who resigned in 2024 amid allegations of using racial slurs and engaging in bullying behavior \u2012 said he is the victim of a \u201cdevastating and malicious\u201d defamation attack by a former friend and colleague.<\/p>\n

In an interview late last month, Pietrack denied ever using the N-word in a \u201cracial way,\u201d meddling in student-athletes\u2019 academic affairs or creating a toxic culture among staff or players.<\/p>\n

He said he worked in FLC\u2019s athletics department for two decades \u2013 11 years as an assistant coach and nine years as head basketball coach. During his tenure, no player filed a complaint or reported him for racism, sexism or homophobia, he said.<\/p>\n

Pietrack provided the The Durango Herald <\/em>a copy of a records request he filed with FLC seeking documentation of student-athlete complaints or misconduct reports filed against him. The college\u2019s response said no such documents exist.<\/p>\n

The Herald <\/em>filed its own records request and confirmed that no documented complaints from student-athletes were found.<\/p>\n

The request did return memos from David Pirrone, FLC director of compliance and community standards, dated 2020, detailing complaints from Joshua Coon, a professor and cross-country coach, accusing Pietrack of \u201cbullying\u201d and \u201charassment.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a 23-page letter to the Herald<\/em>, Pietrack said Coon\u2019s complaints were unsubstantiated.<\/p>\n

Former assistant basketball coach and friend of Pietrack, Daniel Steffensen, sent a letter to FLC in 2024 describing Pietrack\u2019s alleged behavior. The letter prompted an internal investigation by FLC that produced text messages between the two, revealing Pietrack\u2019s use of the N-word and offensive remarks about female coaching staff.<\/p>\n

The Herald<\/em> obtained the messages \u2013 which also contained slurs used by Steffensen \u2013 last year through a public records request. The Herald <\/em>relied on those records for a story published in October<\/a> detailing the circumstances leading up to Pietrack\u2019s resignation.<\/p>\n

At the time, Pietrack declined to comment. About four months later, he wrote to the paper asking that parts of the story be removed, which the Herald<\/em> declined to do. The Herald<\/em> then met with Pietrack and began reporting a follow-up story detailing his denials. During reporting, Pietrack filed a defamation lawsuit against the Herald,<\/em> but he then dismissed it after receiving reassurance the paper planned to publish this follow-up story detailing his denials.<\/p>\n

\u2018I regret the text messages\u2019<\/div>\n

Pietrack said he regrets using the N-word and other lewd language in texts but says the messages do not reflect his character or how he led FLC\u2019s basketball team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI own the text messages. I regret the text messages. With that said, the text messages were selectively quoted, manipulated and twisted to fit a false narrative, and they were taken completely out of context,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He said the text messages between him and Steffensen \u2013 who he said was once his best friend \u2013 were written in a \u201cplayful, joking way,\u201d and terms like the N-word were never used with malice or racial connotations in mind.<\/p>\n

He firmly denied ever using such language around players.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I ever said anything even remotely like that in a huddle, how many people would have reported it? Are you kidding? The whole team would have reported it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Former
Former Fort Lewis College basketball coach Bob Pietrack \u2013 who resigned from FLC in 2024 amid allegations of using racial slurs and engaging in bullying behavior \u2013 said he is the victim of a \u201cdevastating and malicious\u201d defamation attack by a former friend and colleague. (Durango Herald file)<\/span>du1-i-syn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
Former colleague alleges academic tampering<\/div>\n

Steffensen told the Herald <\/em>in an October interview he was wrong to use that language in text messages with Pietrack and said he takes responsibility for doing so.<\/p>\n

Steffensen said he resigned from FLC in 2021 because he felt guilty about not reporting Pietrack\u2019s alleged behavior. In addition to Pietrack\u2019s language, Steffensen said Pietrack manipulated a student\u2019s class schedule to delay graduation and cut players with scholarships from the team near graduation so the scholarships could be reallocated to newer players.<\/p>\n

Pietrack denied each claim.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never, ever interfered with anybody\u2019s athletic registration. I never, ever cut anybody\u2019s scholarship close to graduation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Fort
Fort Lewis College head coach Bob Pietrack, left, and associate head coach Daniel Steffensen talk to the team during a game in November 2018. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)<\/span>du1-i-syn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

He said coaches, including himself, have no control over students\u2019 class registration.<\/p>\n

Steffensen alleged Pietrack manipulated star player Akuel Kot\u2019s class registration so he would fall short of the credit hours needed to transfer to a Division I program at another college.<\/p>\n

Pietrack denied manipulating Kot\u2019s credit hours and said Kot didn\u2019t have a credit problem \u2013 he had a GPA problem, which was outside Pietrack\u2019s control.<\/p>\n

Kot eventually transferred to the University of Wyoming, which has a Division I men\u2019s basketball team \u2013 where he became a starter.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor anybody to say that I would ever hurt him is just beyond hurtful,\u201d Pietrack said.<\/p>\n

He shared a text message he received from Kot after the transfer to the University of Wyoming dated Feb. 1, 2024, in which Kot said: \u201cExtremely thankful for you Coach P!! I just wanna let you know that, wouldn\u2019t have got any of these opportunities if it wasn\u2019t for you. Glad most of my points were at fort Lewis and under you!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Herald <\/em>reached out to Kot via Instagram for comment, but he did not respond.<\/p>\n

Pietrack shared additional messages from March 2024 between him and Kot in which Pietrack asked how Kot\u2019s classes were going and Kot congratulated Pietrack on FLC\u2019s basketball season.<\/p>\n

Pietrack said Steffensen accused him of academic misconduct because he did not rehire him to FLC\u2019s coaching staff later in 2021, after Steffensen had resigned earlier that year.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very bitter at me for that,\u201d Pietrack said. \u201cThen the program has the greatest three-year stretch in the history of men\u2019s basketball at Fort Lewis College where we go 75 and 17 with two national top-five finishes. I got the 2024 Red Auerbach Coach of the Year. Then the rest happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Red Auerbach Coach of the Year award, given out by the Jewish Coaches Association, recognizes Jewish American basketball coaches.<\/p>\n

Steffensen declined to answer questions about Pietrack\u2019s allegations, other than to say it is incorrect to assume he was bitter about not being rehired.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have taken responsibility for my actions, apologized, and made amends with those I\u2019ve needed to,\u201d he said in a written statement. \u201cIf Bob feels the need to disparage me or others to justify or minimize his own conduct, rather than owning his actions and also apologizing, that is his choice. I will have no part in, nor will I engage in that type of behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pietrack provided text messages between him and former FLC basketball players that he said demonstrate camaraderie, as well as written statements from other former players and past associates in the college\u2019s athletic department.<\/p>\n

\"Former
Former Fort Lewis College basketball coach Bob Pietrack provided text messages between him and former FLC basketball players that demonstrated camaraderie, as well as written statements from other former players and his past associates in FLC\u2019s athletic department. (Courtesy of Bob Pietrack)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Former
Former Fort Lewis College basketball coach Bob Pietrack \u2013 who resigned in 2024 amid allegations of using racial slurs and engaging in bullying and harassment \u2013 shared text messages from star player Akuel Kot establishing each other\u2019s good will toward one another. (Courtesy of Bob Pietrack)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Jason Michaud, a former FLC assistant coach and men\u2019s basketball program assistant, said in a written statement dated Jan. 5 that Pietrack always conducted himself professionally.<\/p>\n

Pietrack provided Michaud\u2019s statement during an interview on Feb. 28, along with additional written statements of support from former student-athletes who played under him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBob has a great heart, loved his players, and the players loved him back. I stayed very close to the program and the players during my time there,\u201d Michaud said. \u201cNot once did I hear a player complain about mistreatment of any kind. Based on what I personally observed, the claims being made do not reflect the reality of the program.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an interview, Michaud said he stands by his letter of support.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll those words are straight from me and based on my personal experiences around (Pietrack), whether it be in the locker room, whether it be in his office, whether it be on the court with him in practice, a student there and afterwards,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Pietrack said he strove to build a team culture of \u201caccountability, trust, respect, camaraderie and brotherhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the team was \u201cbusiness-like\u201d but built on love and respect.<\/p>\n

Post-FLC<\/div>\n

Pietrack resigned from FLC in 2024 after the college investigated Steffensen\u2019s allegations about his behavior.<\/p>\n

The investigation appeared to focus on text messages between Pietrack, Steffensen and others. FLC also reviewed allegations of academic misconduct but found no proof supporting Steffensen\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n

Pietrack said his resignation had nothing to do with the allegations or the college\u2019s internal investigation.<\/p>\n

He said the college\u2019s investigation concluded about a week before he left for personal reasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother, Andrew, was dying at the time, and then the investigation came and it was heavy, and I chose to walk away,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He said just because the investigation recommended his resignation doesn\u2019t mean that is why he left.<\/p>\n

He provided the Herald<\/em> a copy of his release and settlement agreement with FLC, documenting his resignation effective April 29, 2024.<\/p>\n

The agreement says Pietrack agreed to voluntarily resign \u201cin compromise of disputed claims.\u201d He did not receive severance, according to the college.<\/p>\n

Pietrack said he took about a year off after leaving FLC. His brother died on May 15, and Pietrack said he spent time with his two children. He accepted a job at Ferris State University in Michigan in May 2025, but the allegations followed him there.<\/p>\n

He later left FSU and said he has since focused on clearing his name.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to do everything I can to be a good father and a good family member and a good member of the community like I\u2019ve always been,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd if coaching comes back around, then it does. But I\u2019m not really focused on that. I\u2019m more focused on getting the record straight.\u201d<\/p>\n

cburney@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pietrack acknowledges sending texts using N-word but denies racism, academic misconduct<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[600,992,132,28,993,991,346,994],"naviga_topic":[],"class_list":["post-12211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-basketball","tag-college-sports","tag-fort-lewis-college","tag-headlines","tag-investigation","tag-mens-college-sports","tag-sports","tag-trueanthem"],"acf":[],"author_name":"dh_admin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12211"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18604,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12211\/revisions\/18604"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12211"},{"taxonomy":"naviga_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/naviga_topic?post=12211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}