Embattled University of Tennessee football coach Butch Jones is at the center of a high-profile lawsuit brought against the educational institution by six women. According to the accusers, the university has created an environment that enabled male athletes – especially football players – to sexually assault women without consequences.
On February 6, six unidentified women who claim to have been sexually assaulted or raped by football or basketball players filed Title IX charges in a Nashville District Court, alleging that Jones’ athletic department forged a culture of rape on campus that tolerated sexual offenses by student-athletes.
#BREAKING Two more women join University of Tennessee sexual assault lawsuit https://t.co/cDyQpMstu2
— The Tennessean (@Tennessean) February 24, 2016
The most recent development took place on Wednesday, when former UT Volunteers wide receiver Drae Bowles made a sworn statement saying that in November 2014, Butch Jones scolded him for being a “traitor” and “betraying the team” after helping out a female athlete who had allegedly been raped by fellow football players A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams. The two athletes were charged for the offenses and are due to go to trial this summer.
Butch Jones allegedly called Tenn. WR traitor after helping woman who said she was sexually assaulted by 2 players. https://t.co/1Y1pVOepSk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 25, 2016
In a statement issued through the university, Jones said that the allegations are “false attacks on his character.”
“The assertion that I ever attempted to belittle or demean a young man for taking action to help another person is absolutely false,” Jones said.
UPDATE: Butch Jones released a statement calling the assertions “absolutely false.” pic.twitter.com/GtmcqX2s1u
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 25, 2016
University of Tennessee’s athletic director, Dave Hart spoke to reporters during a packed press conference held at the campus’ Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Center on Thursday. He came to Jones’ defense and essentially said that he has full confidence in the coach’s credibility and integrity.
Following latest lawsuit details, Vols AD Dave Hart says he trusts “Butch Jones implicitly” https://t.co/OJBHz1ZMCH pic.twitter.com/lTPu3FbDTg
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 25, 2016
“I trust Butch Jones implicitly,” Hart said. “I know who he is. I know his work ethic. I know what he’s meant to this program and what he’s meant to this university. I know how he’s represented this university.”
He also defended the student culture at UT, vouching for Butch Jones and their other athletic coaches.