Does anyone out there have any experience with how to deal with a coach that can not control his personal conflicts with parents (and there are many) and then takes it out on the players with belittling comments and withholding playing time?

Obviously not something that is going to be resolved with the coach. The first step would seem to be with the organization and/or the ACE Coordinator for your program.

Given that there are "many conflicts" with parents and a resulting impact on the kids based upon the original post, are parents willing to approach the organization as a group? Unfortunately, one parent, on their own approaching the organization probably won't carry much weight--rightly or wrongly could be seen as sour grapes. Half the team, however, would, most likely, be different.

There is obviously no way to keep this secret once the group of parents comes forward. (Even if the organization indicates that it will be held in confidence you should consider the impact of the allegations being public--generally a small community at the rink.)

Also, how much of your season is left? If there is only a month or so left is it possible to "gut it out"? Nobody likes to be in a bad situation and if it is impacting your kid it is even harder to take. If the season is wrapping up in mid-February can you make it without a confrontation during the season? Most organizations have coaching evaluations at the end of the season. That same group of parents needs to be clear in their evaluations what has occured. The organization should consider the evaluations before naming the coaches for next season--again, only one parent taking the time to detail these things doesn't, unfortunately, carry much weight.

Finally, one last thought--details, details, details. Reporting that the coach is confrontational with parents and those confrontations were carried over to the treatment of the kids has a lot less impact than one which provides dates, details and the resulting impact on the kid--during holiday tournament is Any City, USA, coach was angered at parents who refused to drive him to carryout to buy more beer since he was obviously already intoxicated and told them that they would regret it. At the next game, coach benched kids of both parents for entire game.

Clearly, let's hope, this didn't really occur but facts and situations are something that need to be addressed and explained with a detailed answer. General allegations can be denied generally and don't tend to get very far.

Ok, I have rattled on long enough!!! I am sure others will have thoughts as well. Good luck.

Looks like this is an old topic - but to keep it going, how about a coaches WIFE that yells things like "Skate or get off the ice!" to kids on the team that are NOT her own? The parents all think it's extremely rude but will not dare say anything. This is our first year with this team, having moved in from another city, but the parents from our old league wouldn't dream of yelling at someone else's kid during a game. What are the opinions out there? Am I being over sensitive?