Coach banned for life after doping 16-year-old son with testosterone
In what USADA says is a "devastating example" of failed responsibility, a Texas coach and his son have both received doping bans
On Monday, USADA announced developments in a major doping scandal stemming from events in December 2023. A coach in Richmond, Texas, has accepted a lifetime ban from the sport after providing his 16-year-old son with testosterone gel during the 2023 USATF Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championships. His son received a reduced sanction of two years.
Note: this story has been updated to remove the coach’s and his son’s identities.
The investigation began after USADA received a tip from a whistleblower. According to the press release, evidence later confirmed that the coach “administered his own prescription testosterone gel to his minor child.” Even in topical form, testosterone, an anabolic agent, is prohibited at all times in athletics.
The 49-year-old coach was found to have violated three anti-doping rules: possession of a prohibited substance, administration of a prohibited substance and complicity.
While standard anti-doping violations typically result in a four-year suspension, the 16-year-old will serve a two-year ban due to the circumstances of this case; all competitive results since Dec. 10, 2023 will be disqualified.
The boy held personal bests of 2:09.28 in the 800m and 4:35.87 in the 1,600m–both recorded in 2024 and now forfeited.
“This case is a devastating example of why it’s so important for athlete support personnel, including coaches and parents, to put athlete well-being above all else, especially when involving minors,” USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said in a press release. “And when they don’t, as in this case, they will be held accountable to the full force of the rules.”
Both provisional suspensions began on March 19, 2025.
