Fired Oakland University soccer coach sues: I was let go for having depression

Two months after losing his job, former Oakland University soccer coach Eric Pogue is suing his ex-employer, alleging OU unlawfully fired him for having "debilitating" depression, forbade him from speaking about mental health issues with athletes, and subjected him to a sexist environment that stigmatizes men battling psychological problems — especially men who work in the world of sports.

Pogue says he tried to be open about his struggle, but that the university sought to silence him.

“We have found that there is a stigma in men’s athletic programs regarding mental challenges," Pogue's lawyer, Shereef Akeel, told the Free Press on Monday. "Schools have to do a better job in meeting these challenges."

In a federal lawsuit filed late Monday in U.S. District Court, Pogue alleges that Oakland University tried to force him out because he was struggling mentally, and ultimately let him go in February, despite being one of the winningest coaches in the university's history. In his 15 seasons as head coach, he won won three Summit League Championships, four Horizon League Championships, and had four NCAA tournament appearances. He was also named Coach of the Year six times in the NCAA Division 1 Horizon League, including the year before he was fired, "when he was dealing with the debilitating disability of depression."

Pogue believes his mental health struggles cost him his job. His lawsuit maintains he wasn't involved in any scandal or facing a losing record — which is what typically causes a coach to get fired — but rather battled psychological wounds that the university wanted kept quiet.

"Because of Coach Pogue’s disability, and his efforts to speak out about the challenges of mental illness — which had a significant stigma, especially in male athletics — (Oakland University) terminated his contract as the Head Coach of OUMS," the lawsuit states.

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In a statement Tuesday, Oakland University defended its decision to terminate Pogue, stating:

"Oakland University categorically denies Pogue’s allegations and will vigorously defend itself in court. With an unprecedented number of student-athletes calling for a change in leadership in the Men’s Soccer Program, and a persistent unwillingness by Coach Pogue to provide hands-on mentorship and training that OU student-athletes expect and deserve, OU concluded that Coach Pogue lacked the ability to lead the program and a change had to be made."

This is the first time Oakland University has publicly offered an explanation for firing Pogue, whose departure was abruptly announced in a brief February statement that offered no details, saying only:

"Effective immediately, head men's soccer coach Eric Pogue will no longer lead the men's soccer program." The athletic director added this comment: "I want thank Coach Pogue for his years of service to the men's soccer program and to the university. I wish him the very best as he moves forward," Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield added in the statement.

Since then, former Associate Head Coach Paul Doroh has been given the top job.

Last week, four days before filing his lawsuit, Pogue congratulated his former colleague on the X social media site, formerly known as Twitter, writing:

"Congratulations to new #OaklandMSOC head coach Paul Doroh... my right hand man for many years and many championships🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆," Pogue wrote in a post last week on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Glad to see you rewarded by Oakland Athletics for your loyalty to them."

"My program is in good hands with PD🤝"

Thousands of NCAA coaches battle mental health concerns

Pogue's lawsuit highlights a problem facing thousands of coaches across the country: mental health struggles.

According to a 2023 NCAA survey of more than 6,000 head and assistant coaches across all three NCAA divisions, one-third of coaches reported mental exhaustion, feelings of being overwhelmed by all they had todo, and sleep difficulties on a near-constant basis.

Young coaches in particular reported higher rates of mental health concerns. According to the study, coaches age 40 or younger reported higher rates of mental health concerns than older coaches. Forty-six percent reported near constant mental exhaustion as compared with 31% in older generations.

For Pogue, who is 48, it was a personal tragedy that would send him on a downward spiral marked by sadness, panic, and anxiety.

Family death triggers depression

According to the lawsuit, here is what drove him to sue:

Under Pogue's contract with OU, he was to be head coach until Dec. 31, 2025. Pogue said he had every intention of remaining head coach until he reached the age of retirement.

But in December 2021, he suffered a significant personal loss: His mom died, which sent him into a deep state of depression.

Before her passing, Pogue was his mother's caregiver and lived with her to better care for her.

"Her loss had a tremendous impact on Coach Pogue, and he was later diagnosed with depression and anxiety," the lawsuit states.

But he did not compromise his coaching. And he did not keep his mental health battles a secret.

OU 'did not allow him to speak' about his depression

After his diagnosis, Pogue advised Oakland University about his mental health struggles andoffered suggestions to cope with his battle.

But the university "showed little interest in providing any support," and instead began to treat him differently, the suit states.

Moreover, it alleges, the university tried to silence him when he sought to bring awareness and combat the stigma surrounding men seeking mental health treatment, especially in athletics.

"When the opportunity came to address OU athletes, Coach Pogue wanted to speak about mental health issues," the lawsuit states, but added the university "did not allow him to speak on it."

"What’s more, despite Coach Pogue’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job, and (the university's) knowledge of his illness, (it) failed to engage in any interactive dialogue to reasonably accommodate Coach Pogue’s disability," the lawsuit states. "Instead, (it) not only began placing more work restrictions —including those that other employees were not required to follow — but also began pressuring Coach Pogue to resign."

'Do what's best ... and resign'

According to the lawsuit, the athletic director "even told Coach Pogue to 'do what's best for the athletes and resign.' "

Pogue did not budge.

By the spring of 2023, Coach Pogue was at his lowest. His depression had worsened. The university knew that one option for Pogue was to take a leave, the suit states, but it failed to advise him of this option.

It was only after he sought medical treatment that he learned he could take leave to address his depression.

So, he advised the university of his intention to take a leave of absence. His employer asked for a written statement, so he gave one, citing his depression and anxiety, and consented to the university disclosing his statement, which read:

"After thoughtful contemplation, prayer and careful consideration, I have come to the challenging decision of taking an indefinite leave of absence from the Oakland men's soccer program. This choice is driven by my commitment to prioritize my mental health and overall well-being, and I feel it is necessary to focus my attention completely on these aspects."

It went on to say:

"Presently, I find myself grappling with severe anxiety, depression, and panic ... I am actively undergoing treatment as part of my healing journey, and I am hopeful."

He also encouraged others facing mental health struggles to seek help, stressing: "You are not alone."

But the university rejected Pogue's draft statement, "using the excuse that it was an alleged HIPAA violation."

Pogue disagrees, noting he wanted his story to be told.

But the university did not disclose it, stating only: "Oakland University Athletics has announced men's soccer Head Coach Eric Pogue is on a leave of absence for health-related reasons. Associate Coach Paul Doroh will serve as acting head coach until Pogue's return."

Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield added: "The OU Athletics Department family supports Eric's decision and looks forward to his return to leading the men's soccer program."

In comparison, when the head coach for the OU women’s basketball beam took leave in November 2023 for an urgent spine surgery, the university was more forthcoming with details than it was with Pogue.

And it allowed the basketball coach to say more, too.

"It is with great sadness and frustration that I have to announce another medical leave due to a 5th urgent spine surgery," basketball coach Jeff Tungate said in a 2023 statement released by the university.

Oakland Athletic Director Steve Waterfield also weighed in, stating: "I feel terrible for Jeff that he must undergo another surgery. As much as he wants to coach the team, his long-term health is most important ... I hope his surgery and recovery go well, and I look forward to his return once he is cleared by his doctor."

Pogue takes leave of absense; team struggles

In June 2023, Coach Pogue took leave to treat his depression. The season began, and the team would struggle in his absence, winning only two of its first nine games.

After Pogue's return, the team won six of the next 10 games and ended the season winning the 2023 Horizon League Championship. Pogue also was named the 2023 Horizon League Coach of the Year Award, his fifth such title as head coach.

"Still, (university officials) told him that they were not allegedly satisfied with his performance," the lawsuit states, "despite him being the winningest coach for the university and free from the usual reasons that causes a coach to be fired, including any scandal or simply not winning."

At issue for the university, the lawsuit alleges, were Pogue's mental health challenges.

And so it orchestrated a campaign to get rid of him, the suit alleges, by "placing unnecessary work restrictions and demands on him to set him up for failure."

According to the lawsuit, during the fall of 2023, Poague was required to be in the office at least 14 hours every week, despite that his work is often off-site, recruiting and producing winning teams.

"No other coach at OU had this office-hour requirement," the lawsuit states, adding these mandated 15 in-office hours were "intentional and malicious," had no benefit to the university, and were only used to try to falsely claim that Pogue wasn't doing his job.

Perhaps worse, the lawsuit alleges, the university did this knowing that Pogue "was suffering from depression, which affected him daily."

"By all objective measures, Coach Pogue was leading an immensely successful OUMS team, both on and off the field," the lawsuit states.

Yet on Feb. 6, the university fired him, offering no public explanation in a brief statement that mentioned nothing of his winning record and numerous accolades over 15 years. In contrast, when the head coach of the women's soccer team, Juan Pablo Favero, announced his retirement from OU after just seven years, the university said this:

"I appreciate JuanPa's many contributions to the women's soccer program over the past seven years," Athletic Director Steve Waterfield said in a statement. "He leaves the program with a strong foundation that will help future Golden Grizzlies women's soccer teams achieve success on and off the field. Though I am disappointed he will no longer be leading the program, I am excited for JuanPa as he starts a new professional chapter. Just as he did during his coaching career, he will make a positive impact on athletes he works with and make the Guardians organization better."

Pogue got no such praise. But he did get a lawyer, and a right to sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lawsuit: Oakland University fired men's soccer coach for having depression