Chattanooga Red Wolves SC announced via social media yesterday that they came to a mutual agreement to part ways with suspended head coach Jimmy Obleda.
Obleda was provisionally suspended by United Soccer League, the governing body of USL League One, on July 22 following allegations of misconduct towards players. The USL Players Association brought forth the allegations to the league, which undertook an investigation. The USLPA stated that 18 individuals, including current and former players as well as current and former technical staff approached the association alleging multiple incidents of “degrading and abusive language” from Obleda.
USL completed its investigation a month later, and released a statement which said the investigation “determined that Obleda used overly aggressive management tactics and insensitive language on multiple occasions.” The statement also said that the suspension was warranted, and that Obleda would remain suspended by the club pending their own internal investigation.
Red Wolves SC submitted the results of their internal investigation to the USLPA in late September. At the time, the club stated that it had not yet decided on the fate of Obleda, and that it did not find a culture problem within the club. These findings were soundly rejected by the USLPA, which then filed a complaint against the club with the US Center for SafeSport.
The USLPA again expressed their disappointment yesterday that the club waited until after the season and playoffs completed to announce the permanent removal of Obleda.
In a statement released yesterday, Obleda denied using “racial or homophobic slurs,” but acknowledged that the league’s investigation “deemed inappropriate” his “language and tone.” He offered an apology “if they felt disrespected in any way.”
Obleda joined the club as head coach following the 2019 season, and led the club to their first playoff appearance in 2021. Following his suspension, Red Wolves SC continued the season under the leadership of assistant coach Jimmy Weekley, who led the club to the finals in 2022, where they fell to Tormenta FC.
The club has not committed to promoting Weekley for 2023, stating that they are “starting the process to find a new head coach for the 2023 season.”