KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — WBIR has learned that One Knoxville SC head coach Mark McKeever was investigated for verbal bullying and physical misconduct in October 2023.
Those claims were substantiated in the investigation according to the United Soccer League.
WBIR first learned of the investigation last fall through multiple sources. Upon the first request, the USL and One Knoxville SC did not provide the investigation documents or its findings. After months of digging, WBIR presented the USL with what sources said was in the investigation, and the league confirmed the substantiated claims.
The claims that were substantiated were tier one physical misconduct and tier two verbal bullying by head coach Mark McKeever, according to the USL.
Tier one physical misconduct is the lowest tier in terms of severity. Five players who didn't want to reveal their identity publicly said it happened during halftime of a game on April 21 against South Georgia Tormenta FC. Those players said head coach Mark McKeever charged a player and forcefully bumped into him. The two were separated by coaches and players before it escalated further.
The verbal bullying was tier two, which is the middle tier of severity. The USL told WBIR that with it being tier two, instances of verbal bullying happened multiple times.
Several players said McKeever would often berate players. Many point to one time when the coach launched verbal jabs at a player during a film session about fixing his hair, telling him he’d rather have a 15-year-old amateur in the player’s place, calling the player a liability to the team and saying all the player cared about was himself.
Players said McKeever was told these styles of coaching are not helpful to their development and McKeever told the players he would not change.
Sources say the USL imposed that McKeever go through sensitivity training. Both One Knoxville SC and the USL said in statements the club has gone through the right steps to remedy this situation.
“Last year, One Knoxville SC fully cooperated with a league investigation into isolated team incidents and accepted their subsequent recommendations," said Drew McKenna, the team's managing partner. "Separately, we’ve instituted a number of additional changes to policies, procedures and practices as we continue to grow. We are a close-knit organization and the players, management and the entire One Knoxville team is excited about the progress we’ve made as a club. We’re looking forward to a great season in front of the best fans in League One, kicking off in March.”
“In accordance with US Soccer Federation guidelines, the USL and One Knoxville SC facilitated an independent investigation into specific allegations of misconduct raised by the USL Players Association last fall," the league said in a statement. "One Knoxville SC cooperated fully throughout the process and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to player welfare. The club has taken several proactive steps to reinforce a healthy team environment going forward.”
Players WBIR spoke with said they don’t know how McKeever still has a job and if it happened at any other job it would be unacceptable.
The USL made it clear that none of the allegations were criminal in nature. Ultimately the league can’t recommend firing or suspending a coach to any team. That’s a decision that would have to come from One Knox SC, but as the league and team said in their statements, the organization followed what was recommended.