Washington State University

Women's SoccerTodd Shulenberger

Women's Soccer Head Coach

Washington State University

ACHA M2 • PAC

1.4

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Would Recommend

For starters… when I was a freshman we were told to lie to the recruits and not tell them how things truly were to make them want to come play for him. I was sick when I heard that because the experience was NOTHING like what my host told me when I was on a visit. I was always truthful because I’d never want someone to be lied to the way I was. At one point he told me that since you can’t kick off players on the team that he PURPOSELY makes their experience miserable so they make the decision on their own to leave. Imagine working your whole life to experience a coach like this. Once I got injured he did that to me once I was healed. He blew through my red shirt eligibility on purpose by putting me in a game for less than 2 minutes. It’s so messed up. I wish that they would have been straight forward so then I would have gone somewhere else. Unless you were his favorite he paid no attention to you. You would be considered a “practice player” with no chance to get to the starting roster. If a practice player made one mistake in a game they would be taken off but if his favorites made mistakes They would get 100 chances. Not to mention one of his favorites got in legal trouble and if it were ANYONE else they would have been kicked off the team in two seconds. At the beginning of the season he stated that if there’s anything like that then you would be kicked off. But clearly you could get away with anything if you were a favorite. If that doesn’t show you favoritism idk what does. I know the sport is about competition to get playing time but having standard for only a select few when others are doing everything they can to not even get looked at is crazy. Since he had favorites it caused a lot of drama on the team. I have never experienced such a toxic environment in my life. The worst team culture imaginable. If I would have known what he truly was like as a coach I would have never wasted my time. It ruined something I worked my whole life. I loved the campus. I loved the other coaches that were there at the time. The dynamic would have been entirely different if he wasn’t the coach. I know he doesn’t coach for wsu anymore but do your research before playing for him. If you want to love the game I’d highly suggest avoiding playing at his program at all costs unless you want to have to go to therapy afterwards.

Coach & StaffWayne Phipps

Director of Cross Country/Track & Field

Washington State University

ACHA M2 • PAC

1.0

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Would Recommend

My experience as an athlete under Coach Phipps was unfortunately very disappointing. Communication was a consistent issue, emails and texts often went unanswered, and follow-through on commitments was lacking. While he expressed that he cared about his athletes, his actions frequently suggested otherwise. Coach Phipps exercises a high degree of control over the program, often to the point of micromanagement, leaving little to no autonomy for assistant coaches. When approached with difficult questions or concerns, he would often avoid direct engagement, which made it challenging to resolve important issues. There was also a noticeable disparity in how athletes were treated; favoritism was evident, and those who were not top performers received minimal attention or support. This is particularly unfortunate given that the rest of the coaching and support staff are exceptional. It’s a shame that their efforts are overshadowed by the program's leadership dynamics. I would advise prospective athletes to carefully consider whether this environment aligns with their goals and values.

Coach & StaffWayne Phipps

Director of Cross Country/Track & Field

Washington State University

ACHA M2 • PAC

1.0

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Would Recommend

While presenting organized and caring, this coach does not prioritize you as an individual at all. I truly believe his actions are solely based on what is best for him. From special treatment to certain athletes (who are not even always the best athletes) to never responding to your texts or calls, this coach is a horrible communicator. He will purposefully avoid you when there are questions or topics that need to be discussed. I feel bad for his staff and can see that they are constantly frustrated with his lack of communication. It is unfortunate that this program has lots of talent, but the director of the program is a limiting factor to their success.

Women's SoccerTodd Shulenberger

Women's Soccer Head Coach

Washington State University

ACHA M2 • PAC

1.4

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Would Recommend

The coaching staff at WSU is notorious for lying to players. Rely on tactics that no longer work, and fully relies on individual players with no goal of playing or building as a team. Assistant coach Matt Kagan also does not get along with players and nobody wants to play or work hard for this staff. Transfers and incoming freshmen beware. Also lack of communication and expectations on the field are very unclear. Absolultely 0 team culture and the team struggles because of it. Players do work very hard and want to be successful which is a good thing and it is a competitive enviorment which some people may thrive in.

Women's SoccerTodd Shulenberger

Women's Soccer Head Coach

Washington State University

ACHA M2 • PAC

1.6

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Would Recommend

This based on former and present athletes