Gardner-Webb University has decided not to renew Bailey Wigness’ contract as head softball coach after the investigation of allegations about her inappropriate relationships with student-athletes.
According to Gardner-Webb’s Vice President for Athletics and Athletic Director Brendan Fahey, Wigness’ contract will not be extended at the end of the month, as stated in Gardner-Webb’s press release dated June 1st.
The allegations against Bailey Wigness span 11 years and involve three different college teams. According to the report published by Softball on SI, Gardner-Webb alumni allege that Wigness engaged in romantic relationships with at least four of her players during her tenure at three colleges. Maren Angus-Coombs, a reporter for Sports Illustrated, obtained the documents containing details.
Former softball players of Boise State and the University of South Carolina-Beaufort claimed that Wigness took advantage of her position to establish personal relationships with athletes. They claimed that Wigness isolated players, engaged in romances with them, and excluded those who knew about it from the team roster.
One of the players stated that Wigness started a romance with her girlfriend and removed her from the team. Another former player alleged that Wigness made suicidal threats when things went wrong and that she invited players to her place under the pretext of dog sitting.
Similar allegations were made about Gardner-Webb as well. One former player reported a “weirdly close” relationship between Wigness and her teammate. Another player stated that she reported her concerns about Wigness to the university administration, lost her scholarship unexpectedly, and her career at Gardner-Webb ended.
However, not all accounts of interaction with Wigness were bad. Senior on the 2026 team, Annicka McLaughlin, told Softball on SI that her time playing under Wigness was mostly good and that some allegations might have arisen because of playing-time decisions. McLaughlin reported that only one or two players complained during the regular season, prompting a full-fledged investigation.
The investigation became necessary due to the change in university leadership. Within a year of becoming president, Nate Evans, along with Brendan Fahey, launched an investigation into allegations against Wigness and put her on leave, according to Softball on SI. In the documents reviewed, it became clear that the complaints about Wigness almost always arose during her tenure, according to Softball on SI.
In the lead-up to the Big South Conference tournament, the team met with the officials, and Wigness did not coach during the event, according to Softball on SI and Just Women’s Sports.
Wigness, who was hired after the 2021 season, coached for four years and left with a record of 123 wins and 136 losses. In 2024, Wigness led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to their best Big South finish since 2012 and got a contract extension.
Gardner-Webb compiled a record of 32-25 in 2026 and reached the Big South semifinals, where they were defeated by Winthrop, according to Queen City News.
Now, Gardner-Webb has announced Matt Burns as the new head softball coach. Brendan Fahey called him an experienced coach with over 10 years of experience in college baseball and softball, according to Queen City News.
