University of Texas Permian Basin women’s head soccer coach put on administrative leave
ODESSA, TEXAS - According to the Athletic Director at the University of Texas Permian Basin, Carla Tejas - head coach of the women’s soccer team, was put on paid administrative leave following allegations of illegal conduct, NCAA infractions, and inappropriate behavior by the coach. These allegations were sent via email by members of the women’s soccer team to the University, the Lone Star Conference, and NCAA officials. In a viral Twitter thread from ABC 2’s Kayler Smith, she talks about the allegations that were made against Coach Tejas and resulted in the ongoing investigation and paid leave.
The three major allegations against Coach Tejas, according to Smith, include being arrested for a DWI on September 11 and then Tejas asking her players to bail her out, physical interactions with members of the University of Texas Permian Basin men’s soccer team, which includes kissing in public and distributing alcohol to minors. It was reported that a few players did end up helping bail her out of jail. After her license was suspended because of this incident, the coach would ask her players for rides after drinking, and it is said many would do it out of fear of verbal or on-field retaliation.
In later tweets, Smith goes on to talk about the NCAA infractions against Tejas, including when the coach re-entered a game she was ejected from by using a disguise and then continued coaching through the use of a walkie-talkie. The coach also encouraged her players to cheat on homework and to put soccer before their academics. It is also alleged, that one of the starters for the team from Uraguay might not be eligible to play since she arrived on September 14th, never attended any in-person classes before then, doesn’t have a dorm, and has played every minute in every game so far this season.
Smith also reported that this letter talks about how Coach Tejas would encourage the players to commit fouls and injure their opponents during games. Tejas also had the players on strict diets causing several players to develop body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and anxiety. If the players didn’t listen or follow her commands, the coach would turn to emotional abuse tactics such as silent treatment and isolation to punish the players. It is reported that one player even had a stroke and Tejas didn’t reach out to the player until several days later. That player ended up getting suspended that week and is now in mental health counseling following these events.
Before accepting the job at the University of Texas Permian Basin back in 2021, Carla Tejas previously coached at Louisiana Christian College where she was named All-Louisiana Coach of the Year after bringing the school’s team record of 1-16-1 in 2019 to 16-2-1 by 2021. The University of Texas Permian Basin athletic department reports that men’s assistant coach, Elmer Zayala, will take over as head coach while the investigation is ongoing.
