Leon School Board member decries 'intimidation and bullying' amid coach investigation
The pending investigation into a parent's formal complaint against Leon High School head volleyball coach Angie Strickland is expected to close by the end of the week, a school district spokesperson says.
According to Chris Petley, details surrounding the investigation will become public 10 days after the investigation is closed.
While the district is not revealing any specific allegations, Leon County School Board member Darryl Jones and district Athletic Director Scott Hanson both acknowledged to the Tallahassee Democrat they received complaints this past school year about the coach's conduct.
"I hope everything proves positive in this situation. The superintendent and the district have been clear – our student athletes must be treated with respect. Intimidation and bullying are not the tools Leon County uses to breed competitiveness or sportsmanship," Jones told the Tallahassee Democrat Wednesday.
Jones did not elaborate on specific allegations, citing the investigation.
In her first comments since being placed on leave, Strickland defended her record.
“I have been coaching in Leon County for 18 years. During that time, I have always strived to treat student-athletes with respect and dignity. I view my role in coaching as not just developing student-athletes, but also developing citizens of high standing in the community. I believe my coaching philosophy has been consistent with these values and principles," she said in a prepared statement to the Tallahassee Democrat released by her attorney.
On Wednesday, July 26, Leon County Schools received a formal complaint against Strickland. The next day, in a letter to parents and players, Leon High School Principal Michael Bryan announced the school has placed Strickland on paid administrative leave.
"Yesterday, we were informed by the district that a formal complaint had been filed against Coach Angie Strickland. As a result of this complaint and in line with district policy, she has been placed on administrative leave while a routine investigation is conducted. The purpose of this letter is to let you all know this information first and correctly before the general public hears."
The athletic director acknowledged this complaint was different.
"The school has handled some complaints before, but we've never had anything official out here," Hansen told the Democrat.
Entering her 14th year as head coach at Leon, Strickland is one of the Big Bend's most decorated volleyball coaches. She has led a dominant Leon indoor and beach volleyball program during her time as head coach, winning district, regional and state titles in 2011 and 2018.
She was the All-Big Bend Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2021 and All-Big Bend Beach Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2022 and 2023. During her time at Leon, five different players have won All-Big Bend Volleyball Player of the Year and she has been named All-Big Bend Coach of the Year several times.
Last season, Leon went 6-20, losing to Mosley in district semifinals. It was Leon's first sub-.500 season and the first time the program did not qualify for the regional tournament since 2013.
Strickland was also a coach at Tallahassee Jrs Volleyball Club. In 2021, multiple parent complaints led to Strickland being placed on a 1-year probation from USA Volleyball. She later resigned from Tallahassee Jrs and co-founded Red Hills Volleyball Club with former Leon High School girls' volleyball coach Joy Becker in 2022.
The intramural club is a member of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball.
Mary Andrews, who chairs the Florida Region of USA Volleyball board of directors, confirmed to the Tallahassee Democrat Wednesday that the board has investigated allegations against Strickland in the past, however, she was unable to provide the nature of those allegations or the outcomes.
The Tallahassee Democrat has reached out to Steve Bishop, president of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball and has not heard back.
Back story: Leon High places head volleyball coach Angie Strickland on leave amid investigation
Back story: Ex-Chiles coach Kevin Pettis changes course: Accepts reassignment from Leon Schools
Leon High School girl volleyball tryouts began Monday, July 31, under assistant coach Chris Etter.
Strickland is the second Leon County High School coach to be put on paid administrative leave and investigated in the last three months. Former Chiles head football coach Kevin Pettis was placed on leave in April and removed from his position in June and reassigned to a role at the Ghazvini Learning Center.
Both investigations involve parental complaints about the coaches.
Alaijah Brown is with the Tallahassee Democrat and can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon volleyball coach Angie Strickland defends record amid allegations
