University of Alabama at Birmingham softball coach Taylor Smartt was not with her team at the end of the regular season and during the American Athletic Conference tournament this week as she faces allegations of mental and verbal abuse, physical abuse, and a possible inappropriate relationship with a player.
Smartt, 34, was hired as the Blazers’ head coach in August 2024, and the alleged incidents began shortly after, according to a report from Sports Illustrated’s Softball on SI.
The outlet obtained an email to UAB administrators from Lindsey Dupree, mother of former player Auburn Dupree, who described her daughter’s “profoundly distressing experience” that had a “lasting impact on her mentally.”
“Throughout that season, my daughter was repeatedly subjected to what I can only describe as mental and verbal abuse,” Lindsey wrote. “There were deeply concerning remarks made by Coach Smartt regarding my daughter’s appearance, including racially insensitive comments about her braided hairstyle, which was referred to as ‘jailhouse braids.’ Such comments are unacceptable in any professional or educational setting.”
Auburn confirmed her mom’s allegations to Softball on SI, adding that her mental health “crumbled” when Smartt told her that teammates voted her “the moodiest player on the team.”
Another parent, who chose to remain anonymous, said that Smartt told their daughter to stop spending time with her “charred” friends.
“She is manipulative and makes you second-guess your worth as a player, a friend, and just as a human,” yet another player told the outlet via text.
According to a complaint obtained by SI, Smartt and team director of operations Julie Money were also caught “in a compromising position” with a player when a teammate unexpectedly walked in on them.
“The coach maintains an inappropriately close relationship with a specific player, including sleeping over at the player’s residence,” the complaint reads.
Money traveled with the team for its season-ending series against Florida Atlantic University but did not stay at the team hotel. She did not attend the AAC Tournament.
The physical abuse allegations stem from multiple incidents, including a game against East Carolina University in March, when Smartt allegedly punched a player twice. Players also reported a preseason conditioning drill in which players were required to push an assistant coach’s 4Runner SUV while it was in neutral, then run ahead of it and stop the vehicle using only their own bodyweight.
“One of my teammates almost got, like, actually ran over doing it,” one team member said. “She tripped and fell, and the car almost went over her.”
There was also allegedly a workout where players who did not know how to swim were required to tread water for as long as they could.
Additional accusations include requiring players to do somersaults for every minute they are late to team activities and the withholding of meal money on road trips.
Smartt ultimately stepped away from the team on April 25, one day after multiple players’ parents met with school administrators to express their concerns.
“We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive experience for our student athletes,” a UAB spokesperson told Softball on SI in an email. “When concerns are brought to our attention, we take appropriate steps to investigate them. Employment matters are handled between the institution and employees.”
