"After 4 years at Bowling Green, Coach Bonnel won a total of two conference matches. He took no responsibility for the losses and when we lost he would give us the silent treatment or say “ I have no words”. His only words were to critize us behind our backs. He created a toxic environment by taking zero accountability for his poor decision making, blamed the players, and constantly bad mouthed players to other players on the team. He does not know how to build up a team and create confidence.
Each year better drills were asked for but he would not listen. If you actually wanted to hit ground strokes you would have to do that on your own time outside of the actual practice.
A first time D1 coach with no experience playing D1 tennis or coaching D1 prior to Bowling Green and it showed that he was out of his league. He was a last minute hire when the previous coach abruptly left the position. The AD that hired him has since been fired. He often scheduled non conference matches against weak D2 teams in order to improve the win loss ratio for the year.
His unprofessional and petty behaviour included criticizing other coaches in the conferences.
He also made uncomfortable and awkward jokes or ask questions about your political and religious beliefs.
A coach that you would not be proud to play for. The team was happy when his contract was not renewed. "
"Just leaving this here as a reminder that you can't fake caring about your players' mental health, nor can you fake being a good coach! Your players may forget what you did and said, but they will never forget how you made them feel (Worthless, hopeless, and depressed). Godspeed to the next generation of players that have to deal with this BS. "
"Honestly he made me fall out of love for the sport. His coaching style is good for certain personalities but ultimately the environment and culture he created made me feel isolated and invaluable. He was mean to his staff too whenever I would see them interacting. "
"When the coaching change at Bradley occurred I was on the fence about joining the portal. After a first meeting with Coach Willis I liked what I was hearing and decided to stay at Bradley. Some days I wonder what would have happened if I had transferred. When people ask me if I miss softball I say no and if they ask why I say because of her which is the sad but hard truth. The rude remarks about players to other players behind their backs was atrocious as someone who takes respect seriously. Acting as gossiping teenagers to players was not something I respected. The lack of compassion with injury and mental health was sickening to say the least especially when she noted a mental health battle in front of peers when the player was trying to keep the issue quiet. She has taken away my love for the sport entirely. She knows how to pull in recruits with the nice words but will discard you once you commit. From her husband unfollowing my parents once I graduated to her making promises she did not intend to keep, I would rate the experience a 0/10 and would recommend not attending Bradley entirely and look for a different experience. The whole experience was one I wouldn’t wish on my enemies. "
"Coach Willis ruined my passion for the game. She paints a false narrative for what this Bradley program is and what they stand for. She states that she is building a new culture, but the only culture she is building is that fake people and suck ups to the coaches get to play, NOT the people that actually put in the work. She is manipulative and lies to your face about game time and if you ask for feedback it doesn’t matter what you have done she will always give you the answer of ‘be more consistent’ even when you are 3/3 in a scrimmage and that is the only game like playing time you get. If you are in the starting 9 at the beginning of the fall you will remain in that 9 until the end of spring no matter what and if you are on the bench prepare to keep that seat warm. You are not allowed to talk with your athletic trainer or make jokes on the bench and if you’re injured prepare yourself to be invisible or play through your injury. If you choose to look after your injury instead of play through it you will be ignored for weeks as I was. There is no check ins on players and when we asked for more mental health support we were told it is a ‘two way street’. Honestly save your time and your love for the sport and play somewhere else. She does not know how to coach or look after her players. We are people as well as softball players and until she learns that i will never tell anyone to play for her. "
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