Tensions are arising in Baldwin County following a parent’s public call for the removal of a local coach accused of bullying players, creating a hostile environment, and allegedly directing profanities at parents during a recent game.
The concerns, voiced by Baldwin County parents Larissa Wilson Goodrich in a Facebook post shared with the Baldwin County Citizens for Government Accountability group, have ignited an impassioned community debate over student safety and leadership within the school system.
Goodrich, who stated she has observed issues with the coach for four years, expressed outrage over the coach’s conduct. Larissa wrote,
“For four years I have known she should not be around children,” “What is the boundary that has to be crossed for a coach to be removed from a position? What about saying ‘SUCK MY D***’ and flipping off parents in a filled gym? This bullying has GOT to STOP.”
Larissa Wilson Goodrich
The post accuses the coach of both verbally abusing players and antagonizing parents, behavior Goodrich describes as unethical and unprofessional.
She also criticized school administrators, saying that the principal continues to “cover up her behavior,” and urged the superintendent and school board to take decisive action.
She added,
“We need a new superintendent and we don’t need to allow people like this to coach our children,”
Larissa Wilson Goodrich
Local resident John Purvis agreed with Goodrich’s concerns, asserting that inappropriate conduct from a coach cannot be excused, regardless of whether a parent’s child is still in the program. Purvis wrote,
I don’t think it matters if your child has graduated or not. Wrong is wrong and 8f the coach is doing that then she should be fired on the spot.
John Purvis
Goodrich replied to John’s comment,
there have been numerous complaints and nothing done. I’m invested because my first job is to protect children. I tried to prevent this in the first place. My daughter was the warning and so many after her. I cannot just ignore and I can’t believe there are people that would just scroll past. How many students have to be affected? There were over 400 students in that gym… how many players give up the sport? Have to go to therapy? They are wrong and this is the equivalent of allowing and perpetuating the bullying. This is now on the BCBOE.
Larissa Wilson Goodrich
Another commenter, HE Wiggins, suggested that the situation had escalated so far that drastic measures might feel justified, writing,
Sometimes a trip to jail is worth it. . . . Just sayin.
HE Wiggins
However, not all community members supported Goodrich’s stance. Sarah Wade, who appeared to have more direct knowledge of the game in question, pushed back against the narrative. Wade said,
Again- the original issue started because of safety for ALL players then the other side acted crazy. Were you actually there? Did you watch the entire game? Do you understand why this was even happening? Did you actually hear her say that? No. What about the male that continued to engage and bully and say the nastiness you’ve “quoted” above when again you weren’t even there. No, 2 wrongs don’t make a right. Whatever issue you have with her, go deal with it. But this isn’t your issue.
Sarah Wade
Others in the group were left confused. One commenter, Willie Everett, asked, “Who?” highlighting that not every community member was familiar with the individuals at the center of the controversy.
The debate underscored the increasingly fraught relationship between some Baldwin County parents and school leadership.
Goodrich’s insistence that the superintendent and principal have failed to act has only heightened concerns about accountability.
For parents like her, the incident illustrated a larger culture of permissiveness toward bullying and hostility in youth sports programs.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Larissa Wilson Goodrich serves as a photographer at Larissa Goodrich Custom Portraiture.
- Goodrich tied the knot with Chris Goodrich on December 27, 2003.
- She went to Slidell High School and later graduated from the University of South Alabama.
