Following a tumultuous season marked by controversy surrounding a transgender athlete, former San Jose State University assistant volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose's contract has expired and will not be renewed, according to an exclusive statement she provided to Fox News Digital. Batie-Smoose's departure comes after she publicly opposed the university's handling of the situation involving the transgender athlete, Blaire Fleming. Batie-Smoose and her family relocated from the East Coast to California for the coaching position in 2023.

Expressing her commitment to her players, Batie-Smoose stated, "This experience has solidified my belief that I was meant to be at SJSU to advocate for these young women. Their resilience throughout this challenging season has been truly inspiring, and it reinforced my decision to speak out." San Jose State University declined to comment on the matter, citing a policy against discussing personnel matters.

Batie-Smoose's suspension from the program in November stemmed from a Title IX complaint she filed against the university, alleging mishandling of a situation concerning Fleming. The complaint included accusations that Fleming collaborated with an opposing player to target former SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser during a match. "I felt compelled to advocate for the young women on the team who were being silenced," Batie-Smoose explained. "I couldn't stand by while they were subjected to gaslighting and the presence of a male athlete in their private spaces." She further emphasized, "This stance has come at a personal cost, but it's crucial for more coaches to stand up for what's right. I hope that justice will prevail and allow me to continue my coaching career."

Adding another layer to the situation, Batie-Smoose is involved in a lawsuit against San Jose State and the Mountain West Conference alongside 11 current and former conference players. This lawsuit, spearheaded by Slusser, alleges that the university concealed Fleming's birth sex from Slusser and other players, forcing them to share intimate spaces with Fleming for an entire season. Both Slusser's lawsuit and Batie-Smoose's Title IX complaint accuse Fleming of colluding with Colorado State volleyball player Malaya Jones to gain a competitive edge and potentially injure Slusser during a match. While Slusser wasn't injured in the way alleged, Colorado State won the match.

A Mountain West investigation into these claims concluded without sufficient evidence to warrant disciplinary action against any named players, according to a letter obtained by Fox News Digital. The letter, addressed to athletic directors at both universities, didn't address the specifics of the alleged conspiracy, labeling the claims as "manipulation of the competition." While asserting insufficient evidence, the letter didn't explicitly refute the allegations. The Mountain West Conference declined to disclose details about individuals interviewed during their investigation.

Slusser's attorney, Bill Bock, criticized the investigation, alleging bias and demanding the release of the investigative report and related documents. Slusser previously shared her experience of being hit by one of Fleming's spikes, resulting in significant bruising, an incident that occurred before she knew Fleming was transgender. Following Batie-Smoose's suspension, Slusser expressed concerns about feeling unsafe and unheard within the program, highlighting the comfort and validation Batie-Smoose provided. Despite her suspension, Batie-Smoose attended the conference championship game to support her former players. The majority of SJSU's 2024 volleyball team with remaining eligibility have entered the transfer portal, a move Batie-Smoose believes reflects the players' distress over the university's handling of the situation. Slusser's lawsuit remains ongoing, and she's also involved in Riley Gaines' lawsuit against the NCAA concerning transgender athletes in women's sports.