Kentucky Swim Coach Banned for Sexual Misconduct, SafeSport Ruling

The U.S. Center for SafeSport says former Kentucky swimming coach Lars Jorgensen is now permanently ineligible from coaching. The decision comes after severe allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse.

Accusations include intimate relationships marked by power imbalances, physical misconduct, retaliation, and sexual harassment. Years of reported sexual violence and abuse from former team members and staff led up to this ruling.

Background of the Allegations

In June 2023, Lars Jorgensen resigned from his position at Kentucky. There was no official reason given, but his exit followed years of allegations.

Several former swimmers and staff reported enduring *years of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment* by Jorgensen. Reports described *forced sexual assault*, physical violations, and inappropriate relationships with female swimmers.

Details of the Misconduct

The allegations against Jorgensen are extensive and disturbing. The U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Centralized Disciplinary Database lists the misconduct as:

• Intimate relationships involving a power imbalance
• Physical misconduct
• Retaliation
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual misconduct

Jorgensen allegedly sent explicit photos and videos to swimmers. He also made suggestive comments and asked about their sexual experiences.

He reportedly assigned extra workouts to swimmers whose body fat percentage exceeded his chosen limit. These behaviors went on for years, according to those who came forward.

Legal Actions and Institutional Responses

In spring 2024, two former Kentucky team members filed a lawsuit against Jorgensen, the University of Kentucky, UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart, and former Kentucky swim head coach Gary Conelly. The lawsuit claims Kentucky’s *complicity and deliberate indifference* allowed Jorgensen to create a *toxic, sexually hostile environment* within the swim program.

Specific Allegations in the Lawsuit

The lawsuit details several incidents of sexual assault and harassment, including:

• Raping two members of the swim program after a team Christmas party at his home
• Raping one of those individuals in hotels during team trips
• Masturbating in front of a swimmer in his office
• Sending explicit photos and videos to a member of the women’s swim team
• Making degrading comments and engaging in body-shaming

Jorgensen has denied all wrongdoing. He insists that *none of that is true* and says he always led in a positive way.

SafeSport’s Role and Actions

The U.S. Center for SafeSport exists to address and prevent abuse in sports. Interim CEO April Holmes said, *no athlete should ever be subject to abuse, or worse yet — retaliation — for speaking up*.

The center’s ruling to make Jorgensen permanently ineligible from coaching sends a clear message. They want accountability and cultural change in sports, and this is a step in that direction.

SafeSport’s Disciplinary Database

Before this latest ruling, Jorgensen’s name was already in the SafeSport disciplinary database with temporary restrictions. He couldn’t coach unsupervised, train, or have contact with athletes.

The new ruling makes those restrictions permanent. Jorgensen can’t return to coaching, period.

University of Kentucky’s Response

The University of Kentucky’s response to all this has faced scrutiny. In May 2023, someone sent an anonymous email to athletic director Mitch Barnhart describing Jorgensen’s inappropriate relationships, punishment workouts, and degrading comments.

Barnhart forwarded the email to Kentucky’s compliance department. That led to Jorgensen’s suspension on June 1, 2023.

Title IX Investigations and Compliance Reviews

By June 2023, Kentucky’s compliance department was already investigating Jorgensen for possible NCAA rule violations over punishment swims and non-voluntary practice hour overages. The review prompted more alumni to share their experiences, which added weight to the allegations.

One incident involved Briggs Alexander, a former swimmer who transitioned while serving as an assistant coach. Alexander discussed his experience with Jorgensen in a Zoom call with a UK Title IX official.

Even after Jorgensen resigned and reached a settlement worth $75,000, more allegations kept coming out.