SJSU didn't penalize volleyball coach during trans scandal amid Title IX complaints, federal findings allege

Former SJSU assistant volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose speaks out working with head coach Todd Kress, and newly-obtained federal findings related to the school's trans scandal

EXCLUSIVE: A U.S. Department of Education (ED) investigation found that San Jose State University (SJSU) allegedly made the decision to not suspend or relieve its head volleyball coach during the team's 2024 transgender scandal, despite Title IX-related complaints against the coach.

ED's findings, which were provided by SJSU to Fox News Digital in response to a public records request, suggest the school allegedly considered potential media attention that would arise from taking any action against the coach, and the affect it would have on the team.

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San Jose State University Spartans head coach Todd Kress speaks with news media after their loss to Colorado State University Rams in an NCAA Mountain West women’s volleyball game in Fort Collins, Colo., on Oct. 3, 2024. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

The findings do not mention the coach by name, but Fox News Digital reasonably believes the figure titled "Coach 2" in the findings to be current SJSU volleyball head coach Todd Kress.

"Additional notes indicate the decision to not suspend Coach 2 also included the improper consideration: 'If we relieve him . . . [we could also spark more media attention. . . .' University records indicate University officials, including the President of the University, agreed to not suspend Coach 2 because they felt his suspension would unduly disrupt the team," the findings state.

ED's investigation determined SJSU allegedly gave Kress preferential treatment over a female assistant coach,