Ferndale High School volleyball coach Patti Hoelzle’s contract won’t be renewed next season after the conclusion of a third-party investigation into allegations of harassment, intimidation and bullying within the program.
Ferndale School District notified Hoelzle of the decision on March 24. Hoelzle previously received a statement from the district on Jan. 13 that there would be an investigation into the allegations, which had reached Ferndale Superintendent Kristi Dominguez.
Celina Rodriguez, the district’s executive director of communications, said in a March 30 email statement that “after careful consideration and evaluation of our program, we have decided to move in a different direction for the upcoming season.”
Hoelzle has been the team’s head coach since 2007 after compiling a 213-95 overall record (.691 win rate) over 16 seasons and reaching the 3A state tournament in each of the last nine years. She began with the program as a varsity assistant in 2005.
“I am truly heartbroken and grieving,” Hoelzle said. “I love the sport, and I love my community. I love Ferndale.”
Rodriguez said the district cannot comment on a personnel decision, as it is confidential, but that they do not take such decisions lightly.
“We understand that this news may come as a surprise and may raise questions about the future of the program,” Rodriguez said. “We are committed to finding a new head coach who will continue to uphold the standards of our program and provide a positive and rewarding experience for our student-athletes. We appreciate Coach Hoelzle’s dedication during her time as head coach.”
Madisyn Butenschoen, a senior captain on the team this past season, said no varsity players on the 2022–23 roster were interviewed as part of the district’s investigation.
Butenschoen, who has played under Hoelzle since 2019, noted it was not always “sunshine and roses” but that her coaching style was in the interest of keeping the best players on the court and getting the best out of her team.
“Being able to be pushed hard is what shapes and creates the divide between good and great athletes, and I think Patti really strives for great athletes,” Butenschoen said. “She’s clearly proven that in numerous ways.”
Butenschoen said she met with Ferndale administration multiple times after the decision to express her own positive experience in the program, but noted she understands not every player’s experience is the same.
Ferndale’s coaching staff has worked to be as transparent and clear with parents and players as possible, Hoelzle said, requiring signatures from both parties on a handbook that outlines the process of earning playing time, among other things.
“I never would want to dismiss or diminish a player or parent report of a negative experience,” Hoelzle said. “I am sure that the people that came forward had validity in not feeling positive, and I am truly sorry for that. I really spend a lot of time and energy in how to create fair and equitable decisions that are collaborative, and in the best interest of each team’s goal.”
Hoelzle said she has always tried to be as open to outside feedback as possible, noting she feels the program wouldn’t have “50-plus” athletes trying out for a roster spot with one of the three teams (C-team, junior varsity, varsity) each year if it wasn’t “a positive place for students to be.”
Ferndale volleyball is 159-45 since 2013 (.779 win rate) under Hoelzle’s leadership, including five top-eight state placements and a tenure-best, third-place finish of 19–2 in the 2021–22 season.
“I think what I am proudest of is that it’s been consistent,” Hoelzle said. “It’s not just one group of players that were all amazing volleyball players, so we won, it’s consistency with different groups of players over the last 10 years … That really speaks to the development of players within our program and them buying into the competitive and positive team culture that is there.”
Butenschoen, too, hopes the culture within the program will remain intact despite Hoelzle’s departure for the sake of her returning teammates.
The school district is confident that the volleyball program’s success will continue with a new coach.
“We have incredible talent in our athletic programs and are confident our athletes will continue to compete at high-performance levels,” Rodriguez said.
