Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Head Softball Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Worst Coach In The Conference. Best She Only Coached Naia

Date: June 10, 2025

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

"For the best you stopped coaching because I got a front row seat to how terrible of a coach you are. Every coach in the conference heard your undermining comments. That’s why no one voted for Davenport kids. You. You probably don’t care at all because it’s always all about you. Very pathetic coach and person. "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Loved Watching You Play And We Have Also Loved Watching You Coach

Date: June 7, 2025

By Parent

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Being one of your biggest fans, I always hoped you would follow in Kristalyn’s steps and coach my daughter at Tecumseh. I’ve followed every step of your career. Proud of the woman you have become and the role model you are for my daughter. "

0

Women's Lacrosse

Rob Harris

Former Women's Lacrosse Head Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Worst Experience For Our Girls

Date: June 6, 2025

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Intense Disorganized

"He was the worst. He made my daughter doubt herself and brought her self esteem down to a very low place. It was crazy how the staff backed his every move. Glad to see he is gone but too late for us. "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Always There For Me And My Biggest Fan

Date: June 1, 2025

By Athlete

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Best coach and person I know. I hope you don’t stop coaching. You’re one of a kind and one of the most special people in my life. "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

High Achievers Don’t Like Low Achievers, It’s Really That Simple

Date: May 29, 2025

By Parent

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"It’s no surprise that Coach Jackie gravitates toward tough, gritty, never-out-of-the-fight players and teams—who wouldn’t? Her entire playing career was built on that kind of culture, and her teams consistently brought home wins, titles, and rings at every level she’s played at. Watching her grow into a professional coach while remaining deeply caring and committed has been incredibly rewarding. Jackie is an extremely knowledgeable coach, with a resume full of players who have earned outstanding accolades both on the field and in the classroom. She’s passionate, resilient, and genuinely invested in the success and development of her athletes—not just as players, but as people. A great person and an even better leader."

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

If You're Looking For Someone Who Leads With Heart, Pushes For Excellence, And Genuinely Cares About Her Players—Coach Barley Is That Person.

Date: May 29, 2025

By Other

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Coach Barley is the kind of leader every team hopes for. Her dedication to the sport of softball is unmatched—whether it's early morning practices, late-night game planning (I’ve been there with her), or going the extra mile for her players, she brings 100% every day. More than just a coach, she’s a mentor and a role model. Her work ethic and passion have not only improved players' skills on the field but also shaped their character off it. Many of us can say with confidence: she’s made a lasting difference in our lives. "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Just Was Not The Right Coach For Me

Date: May 28, 2025

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"As someone who started for Jackie (and Kathryn,) it sucks for me to write this but it's true. They both made me do their dirty work and get gossip from inside the team and report back to them. They also indirectly said I should "watch who I hangout with" but they were referring to their own players on the team. I thought the manipulation and mental games were "tough coaching" and making us "mentally stronger" but it was abuse plain and simple. She made us feel like our worth as people depended on how we performed on the field. If you messed up—even once—you were ignored, humiliated, or punished. I watched teammates get completely torn down emotionally for things that should’ve been treated as teachable moments. She played mind games constantly like turning us against each other, favoring people one day and freezing them out the next. It wasn’t about developing athletes or helping young women grow. It was about control, ego, and power. Looking back, I’m honestly embarrassed I let myself believe that kind of behavior was “normal” or okay. If you're a parent considering this program, think long and hard about the kind of environment you're putting your daughter into."

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Fueled My Love For The Game And Made Me Better

Date: May 28, 2025

By Athlete

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Best coach I’ve ever had and I still stay in contact with her after 9 years. She fueled the love of the game for me. A great coach, friend and mentor. "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Run Far Away From Jackie Barley (If She Even Goes Anywhere)

Date: May 28, 2025

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Jackie is a manipulative fraud who capitalizes on harming her athletes. Not many people transferred out of the University of Michigan under Coach Hutch, but she did. Why? Partying and not enough play time for her. If you even try to coach anywhere, best of luck staying there because the girls who's dreams were crushed by you because your lack of intelligence and coaching ability will make sure you don't stay there for long. I hope you sleep well at night knowing you were FIRED from your last coaching job because of mental health abuse. I hope you're embarassed that 30+ players who you have coached came forward and wrote a person statement, filled with the abuse and harm you have done to them over the years. I hope you never coach anyone ever again. Nobody deserves anything you put them through. Oh, and it's not just girls who were on JV going against you. Your favorites and starters wrote things against you right under you and Kathryn's nose. Nobody likes you, we don't care. "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Great Coaches. Keep Covering Up All The Wrongdoing In The Athletic Department

Date: May 28, 2025

By Other

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Professionally speaking it’s sickening the ethic violations Davenport University allows to happen. Even more sickening railroading coaches to hire a friend back. Great coaches that didn’t have a chance at Davenport! "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Great On Field Coach That Not Only Consistently Displays Professionalism But Lives It

Date: May 28, 2025

By Parent

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Highly regarded, skilled and professional. Ethical, high character and one of the best player development coaches I’ve been around. "

0

Women's Softball

Ronda Varnesdeel

Head Softball Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

The Stats Don't Lie. Poor Coaching Results In The Worst Statistical Season In Program History With A Lot More Talent On The Roster

Date: May 25, 2025

By Parent

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Dedicated To Players Direct Creates A Great Team Culture Honest Knows The Game

"Watching you coach this year was embarrassing. I thought you were a really good coach? You managed statically to tank a team that clearly possessed more talent than previous rosters. Fitting for you fraud career to finish last in nearly every statistical category. Literally the worst season in program history in many regards, not to mention the dead last finish in the conference. I saw ages ago you had no idea what you were doing. Its hard to win when you aren't cheating huh? NCAA needs to investigate your entire department."

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Run From Jackie Barley And Save Yourself And Your Career

Date: May 22, 2025

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Jackie and Kathryn are both embarassing women to the sport of softball. If you see they're are coaching anywhere- run. Good luck coaching anywhere else, you will never hear the end of this, and people deserve to know what you did to us. "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Love You Coach!! You’re The Best!!

Date: May 21, 2025

By Athlete

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Love you Coach!!!! You always had the best van!! I’ll never forget all of our laughs, how fun practice was, van trips to practice at 5am, and our adventures on spring trip in Arizona! Grateful to have played for a coach that allowed us to be US!!! Even though all of us freshies at the time probably annoyed the crap out of you haha! "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Earned Not Given! Our Team Still Uses This Motto! Miss You Coach!

Date: May 21, 2025

By Athlete

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Best coach I’ve ever had! I still use the drills I learned from Coach Barley. I’m so happy I got to learn from her at AC. The funnest season I had in my career and the best season I had hitting! "

0

Men's Baseball

Kevin Tidey

Men's Baseball Head Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Kevin Tidey Should Be Looked Into By The Ncaa And His Wins Should Be Erased

Date: May 20, 2025

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Creates A Great Team Culture Honest Motivational Dedicated To Players Accessible

"Athletic administration and Kevin Tidey knowingly allowed 14 players to play while being ineligible in a season they won the conference and made it to a regional. Openly allowing cheating is the only way Kevin Tidey wins. A mom could actually coach better. The NCAA should investigate the open CHEATING Davenport allows for two sports: Baseball and football. The only way they can compete is to cheat. It’s shameful how the athletic department covers this all up!! Someone from the NCAA needs to investigate this. Kevin Tidey should have vacated wins and championships if the truth is ever discovered! A shamefully corrupt institution. "

-1

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

You Get What You Put In! I Still Use The Lessons And Drills Coach Barley With My Players

Date: May 18, 2025

By Other

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"When I first met Coach Barley I was not tough on the field. I was immature and I was mentally weak. Instead of belittling me and making me feel bad about myself Coach Barley took me under her wing. She believed in me and we put in a lot of work outside of practice. This made the biggest impact on my growth as a player and person. I was not the most talented player on the field but being tougher created the ability to overcome adversity quicker and I soon found myself as one of the best hitters in the conference. Coach Barley creates confident, gritty players but at the end of the day it all starts with the player and the willingness to grow and learn! A relationship isn’t a one way street! I was excited to see Coach Barley post so many drills from her infield group this year. Those were my favorite memories in all the work we put in together. Many laughs and memories made! She makes the game and repetitive reps fun. I’ve used many of the drills with my high school girls and have seen a lot of improvements so far this year!"

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Want To Be A Good Player? Run To This Coach!!

Date: May 18, 2025

By Other

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Coach Barley’s career in Division 2 at 3 colleges that were not only rebuilding programs but had limited resources: 1. Freshman of the year, First team all Region and increased batting avg. 2. Player of the year, Pitcher of the year, First Team All American, Regional Player of the Year, multiple school records broken, 3 All Region players, including development of a powerhouse SS. 3. Player of the Year (back to back in 2 different conferences) broken d2 conference batting avg, multiple all region players. I’ve followed Coach Barley’s career since the beginning and this doesn’t even state the program records she’s helped break in other divisions she’s coached at. The ultimate student of the game. Watching her coach through the years, her demeanor with her athletes haven’t changed! She treats everyone with respect and treats her players like young adults capable of making their own decisions. Any school would be lucky to have her on their team because she is a difference maker. Coach Barley should be more demanding and honestly meaner in my opinion but I don’t think the level of athlete is capable of handling that type of coaching. I think she should move to a level that has more athletes with the understanding of the complexity of the sport and the willingness to relentlessly work! But she’s a wild card, she loves coaching players and making them better!"

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Coach Barley Is Not Only A Good Coach But She’s A Great Person

Date: May 18, 2025

By Athlete

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"The amount of life lessons I’ve learned from Coach Barley that I’ve applied to my military career is abundant. Coach Barley taught me what mental toughness is all about and actually how to enjoy doing hard things and how to have fun doing hard things. This not only helped me on the field but in boot camp as well as I graduated top in my class. I accredit many lessons I learned from Coach Barley with my performance in my career and I’m incredibly grateful that she was my coach. I did not play all the time in my career but I loved being a part of the TEAM! Coach Barley is not mean, I’ve never heard her yell one time or negativity talk to any player on our team. Coach Barley is unique and doesn’t have to be loud or excitable. She is always calm and provides great insight on the mission at hand. All qualities I’ve tried to mimic in my professional career. "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

I’ve Never Had A Coach Believe In Me As Much As Coach Jackie And I Will Forever Be Grateful For Her

Date: May 17, 2025

By Athlete

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Jackie is the best coach I’ve ever had. It’s hilarious how her retweeting what the best coaches in the country do is so triggering to people that I’ve personally seen not be able to catch or throw and have to be begged to work hard. Being around this program I’ve never heard Coach Jackie talk negatively to any of us. Honestly, I wish she would have said more but I understand why she didn’t because people at this school can not be held accountable for anything they do. She constantly encourages and gave us mental cues that have helped many of us. Idk how anyone can possibly claim Coach Jackie does not care about mental health. She invested out of pocket for mental health training for us. I loved every minute of our defensive groups and learned so much from her. She’s a truly special person and coach and I hope she never has to be around such miserable people again!!! Forever grateful to have learned from such a knowledgeable person. To the people that craved her attention and didn’t want to work hard or do what they were supposed to do I feel sorry for you because you missed out on knowing a special person and coach!!! "

0

Men's Baseball

Kevin Tidey

Men's Baseball Head Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Beyond A Creep Of A Man And Not A Good Role Model To Student Athletes

Date: May 17, 2025

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Creates A Great Team Culture Honest Motivational Dedicated To Players Accessible

"Has always been a creep and all about himself. Not a good coach or a good role model. He is married man and has slept with a member of the athletic administration so just goes to show what a low life individual he is! Maybe someone should investigate how that ties into all the problems their softball team had and their interim coaches sudden interest in the program…..also the sudden help of Kevin to assist once she stepped in. Truly a disturbing place to go to school at. Get where the world is going!! Sleep with your superiors for personal gain!!!! "

0

Men's Baseball

Kevin Tidey

Men's Baseball Head Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Not A Good Coach But A Huge Talker And Over Sells

Date: May 16, 2025

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Creates A Great Team Culture Honest Motivational Dedicated To Players Accessible

"Not a good coach but a decent talker. Can’t coach improvement in anything bc he doesn’t know anything mechanical but the school allows more scholarships than anyone else so not surprised on the talent he can get and unlimited resources makes it easier. I think my mom could manage the team just as well but he is the ultimate bullshitter. Tidey was a terrible baseball player so not surprised to see he’s not good with anything fundamental. "

0

Women's Softball

Jackie Barley

Women's Softball Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association | MIAA

Stay Far Away From Jackie Barley

Date: May 16, 2025

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Knowledgeable Knows The Game Passionate About Coaching Players Coach Believes In You

"Jackie Barley- the coward you are. Retweets things on Twitter about her own "coaching style" (obviously positive things) yet never spoke to her players at practices/games and hid behind Kathryn. Jackie thinks mental health is a joke and kids these days need to "toughen up" but in reality she really does emotionally and mentally abuse her players in ways she could never comprehend. It's funny because she never spoke up at practice yet had manipulative tactics to get in your head. I hope you are never hired to coach anywhere ever again. You don't deserve it and impressionable kids and players need to be saved from being around you. "

0

Women's Softball

Kaycee Loehr

Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Favorites Evident In Every Practice And Game. Doesn’t Even Know What She Is Doing

Date: May 13, 2025

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Disorganized Poor Communication

"Great record and great job tanking a talented team. When I watched you and the other GA buy some of my teammates things from the gas station and not ask me or my friends I knew this was going to be a terrible year. You are rude and don’t deserve to be our coach"

0

Women's Softball

Kaycee Loehr

Assistant Coach

Davenport University

NCAA DII • Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | GLIAC

Runnnnnnnnnn Awaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy

Date: May 10, 2025

By Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

Tags

Disorganized Poor Communication

"worst coach I’ve ever had in my entire life. Very very bad "

0

Ratings

• Colleges

Davenport University

• All Reviews

All Reviews

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags

Tags