Head coach Albertin Montoya will continue to lead Bay FC as they prepare for their first game of the NWSL season on March 15 despite Montoya being the subject of an investigation into the conduct of the club’s coaching staff.
At least two formal complaints had been filed against Montoya in 2024, accusing him of fostering a toxic workplace and bullying. Eight players from the 2024 season, Bay’s inaugural campaign, are no longer with the team because of Montoya’s behavior, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The league announced the independent third-party investigation shortly after the Chronicle’s investigative report was published.
“He’s currently the head coach,” a spokesperson said Friday during an interview with Bay’s CEO Brady Stewart and COO Jen Millet in New York. “We’re going through the investigation and we will do what we need to do. We don’t have a timing on it.”
The first complaint against Montoya was filed over the summer and reached ownership as well as other club leaders. The second was lodged after the conclusion of the 2024 season through the NWSL anonymous reporting mechanisms.
Stewart confirmed that she saw the first complaint and backed up the Chronicle’s report that the club hired a third party to investigate the claim. Stewart said there was “no evidence” of the bullying allegation lodged against Montoya and described the root cause of the complaint as a communication issue.
“I think it’s important to note that these issues that have been raised are all related to communications challenges,” Stewart stated. “Of course, the league is looking into this, as you saw [Friday] morning, and we’ll absolutely cooperate with the league and support any recommendations from the league.”
The player who made that complaint “felt targeted by personal comments directed by Montoya toward her during review meetings” and “began to suffer anxiety attacks at the thought of going to training,” per the Chronicle.
Instead of disciplinary actions, Bay “provided [the coaching staff] with resources to improve” their communication skills, including executive coaching and expertise in one-on-one interactions. This aligns with feedback from a mandatory league-wide midseason survey, where “some players have requested one-on-one meetings that have been denied,” as reported by the Chronicle.
Stewart mentioned that they only learned of the second complaint this week after the Chronicle inquired about it, asserting that the club does not have access to reports filed through the NWSL.
The investigation comes just a week after Graeme Abel, a former U.S. women’s national team assistant coach, resigned as the team’s scouting director amid allegations of abuse. The Oregonian reported on claims against Abel of “throwing objects, harsh language, and threats to kick [players] off the team or revoke their scholarship.”
Montoya’s continuation as head coach, while under investigation, contrasts with the NWSL’s handling of other coaches facing allegations, reflecting ongoing concerns about the league’s commitment to player safety.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman endorsed the league’s processes, reaffirming confidence following the confirmation of an investigation into Bay’s coaching staff.
