Editor’s note: The witnesses and women in the investigation were not named. In order to remain consistent, pseudonyms were given to all three women to remain anonymous and provide clarity. 

A former University of Kentucky assistant coach made inappropriate remarks toward female student-athletes, according to an investigation report by the university.

Hakon DeVries, former assistant cross-country and track coach, resigned his position during the 2025 investigation into his conduct by the university’s Office of Equal Opportunity after complaints were filed against him by three women who ran on UK’s distance team.

DeVries was the assistant coach for the women’s distance runners from the 2012-2013 season and the men’s distance runners since the 2017-2018 season. 

The names of those involved in the case were redacted in the released records requested by the Kentucky Kernel. The only name that appears is DeVries.

According to records, Title IX interviewed three women who filed complaints about DeVries regarding allegations that were said to be based on sexual harassment and stalking, and over 20 witnesses.

According to Title IX, sexual harassment is defined as “conduct on the basis of sex that occurs in the University’s education program or education activity” and is “unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, persuasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education program or activity.”

According to administrative regulation 6:2, the definition in 34 USC § 12291 (a) (30), which is engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:

• Fear for his or her safety or the safety of others
• Suffer substantial emotional distress. Course of conduct means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person or interferes with a person’s property
• Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling
• Reasonable person means a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the person who alleges stalking

The student-athletes in their March 2025 complaints said DeVries would send them direct messages, at times at night, to share his thoughts. They said he would grow frustrated if they did not respond to his messages.

DeVries would message the athletes from multiple platforms, including Snapchat.

A snap is a temporary photo or short video message sent directly to a friend or added to your story. After being viewed once, or within 24 hours if posted, the message will automatically disappear, according to Snapchat.

“I’m sad. Not getting ANY snaps. Boo [woman’s name],” DeVries snapped.

At another time, DeVries asked one of the women for a hug.

One woman told investigators DeVries reached “under my cropped sweatshirt and touched my bare skin and stomach. I felt his cold hand on my bare skin near my breast. He held this hug for a while before I walked away and felt very anxious.”

In response to this, DeVries acknowledged to investigators that he hugged the athletes, but did it to show that he was proud of their athletic performances or to console them with their problems.

The Office of Equal Opportunity wrote DeVries’ actions were “objectively offensive behavior,” in a letter to him on Feb. 13. 

“There was a preponderance of evidence to support that the alleged conduct occurred. The alleged conduct met the severity, pervasiveness or persistence required to constitute a policy violation,” the letter said.

The case was dismissed Dec. 17, 2025, according to records, because DeVries did not work at the university anymore.

DeVries’ employment contract ended on Aug. 30, 2025, and was not renewed, after previously resigning, according to UK spokesperson Jay Blanton. 

The Office of Equal Opportunity recommended that DeVries be ineligible for rehiring at UK.

DeVries denies harassment

In June 2025, DeVries was suspended with pay by the university pending an investigation into his conduct, according to Kernel reporting.

The Office of Equal Opportunity interviewed at least 20 people over four months, including DeVries, who told investigators he never harassed anyone. 

“I would never want anyone to feel harmed by my actions, which is why these allegations are so difficult to process,” DeVries said according to requested records.

Some of the athletes said they liked working with DeVries as a coach. However, others said they found him “creepy” and that he picked “favorites” with some of the women giving them special attention. 

Some of the women who filed complaints said they were considered DeVries’ “favorites,” even when they did not wish for said distinction. 

DeVries would give his “favorites” gifts, including bringing them coffee. 

At another time, DeVries put Gatorade cans in a runner’s shoes and wrote a handwritten note after she stopped replying to his messages. The runner referred to his texts as “invasive” due to his frequency.

DeVries offered to buy another athlete a watch for Christmas. The athlete said to DeVries that someone was going to buy her a watch instead.

Hugging

Among his conduct allegations included DeVries showing up to their door late at night, at both their hotel rooms during travel with the UK cross country team or at their homes in Lexington, according to the appendix report.

During a cross country team competition, DeVries came to one of the athletes’ hotel room doors to talk about his day and asked for multiple hugs. The woman told investigators that she perceived him waiting at the door as wanting to be invited inside the room. 

DeVries said he went to the hotel room and thanked and hugged her after a conversation earlier that day.

The interaction was less than 60 seconds, according to DeVries.

Sexual commentary

DeVries made several comments to three women, stating he found one of them attractive in her bikini by the pool, referred to one as a “nympho” and made a remark to another about shaving her legs. 

DeVries told investigators all of the comments were taken out of context. 

In 2024, DeVries had a conversation with one of the women about OnlyFans, a porn website, and asked if people they knew would pay for said application. The woman said to investigators she was uncomfortable with the conversation.

In 2025, DeVries commented on a woman using a small massage gun, comparing it to a vibrator, stating she shouldn’t use it due to it being confused for one.

DeVries told investigators “the massage gun looked wrong” and did not recall using the word “vibrator.”

DeVries now works at Tactical Rehabilitation Inc. as a medical solutions manager in Jacksonville, Florida, according to his LinkedIn profile. 

Tactical Rehabilitation Inc. is a national provider of durable medical equipment serving active duty military and their families, according to the company’s page.

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Timeline

Below contains a timeline with further details from witnesses interviewed by the Office of Equal Opportunity during DeVries’s investigation.

Pre-investigation conduct

2013-2014

Two witnesses described DeVries’ behavior during this time as “emotionally immature and creepy” toward female athletes.

2016-2017

DeVries commented about two witnesses and said they needed to shave their legs because they looked “furry.”

The comment occurred twice, once at a facility location and another during a trip.

2019

According to Sarah Roe’s complaint, DeVries approached her while she was using a treadmill in the corner of the indoor track. 

He told her since she couldn’t move during the exercise, a way to pass the time would be for him to read aloud her favorited tweets, the former version of posting on the X platform. 

One of the tweets he read aloud mentioned the phrase: “suck a dick.”

During the conversation, DeVries called Roe a “nympho.”

Roe said to Ellen Kilgore, the Office of Equal Opportunity investigator, she did not know what the word meant and went home to look it up, learning it referred to a woman with strong sexual desires. 

DeVries said he does not recall reading tweets to Roe or using the word “nympho.”

A group chat screenshot later corroborated Sarah Roe’s account, showing her sending a group chat message that said, “‘You’re kind of a nympho’ — [DeVries] to me while [on the treadmill].”

2020

In 2020, Roe sent DeVries texts saying she was happy he was her coach. 

DeVries responded with “Love you, [Sarah Roe]. Thanks for saying that. It just made me smile so much. I know you can tell I’ve enjoyed this year with you.” 

Roe replied, “I’ve enjoyed it so much I’m so happy here.”

In another conversation with Roe, DeVries was texting her about a meeting to discuss training. After Roe agreed to meet the next day, DeVries said in a text, “I’m just drinking wine on the couch. Your snap of dinner is coming. I’m being a lazy bachelor with no one home and no puppies to play w.”

Roe later said this was unprofessional and questioned the purpose of the message.

In another instance, after DeVries took pictures at an event, Roe texted, “Haha my heart in that pic :’) thank u!” 

DeVries replied, “You’re welcome. The one of you two is cute,” with a blushing face emoji.

DeVries also texted Roe about a speech and her well-being that year. In a text, he said, “Clean your room, read a book, reduce stress so you can start sleeping better. Learn a Rubik’s cube. Text me everyday,” followed by a red heart emoji. 

At 8:53 p.m. in 2020, DeVries texted Roe, “I’m sad. Not getting ANY snaps. Boo [Sarah Roe],” and demanded a reply, stating he would send her a photo of himself the next day but wanted one in return.

Roe said she did not want to do anything to upset DeVries and sent him a selfie after a competition.

2021

DeVries sent Roe a private Instagram direct message in response to a photo of her in a dress.

 “Oh man. You look good,” with a smiley emoji, DeVries said.

Sarah Roe found the private, direct nature of the message odd and inappropriate given that DeVries was married. 

In another instance that year, a witness recalled DeVries placing his hand on Jane Doe’s back after a competition, making comments toward her but not to other athletes.

2022

During a trip, DeVries texted Roe asking if she needed anything, and when she asked him a question, he replied, “Haha. You say it like that… my wife better not see my texts.” 

DeVries later admitted this could be perceived as sexual, but did not intend for it to be.

DeVries also texted Roe the phrase, “Date night” in reference to getting food together, and said it was a joke.

2023

According to Doe’s complaint, DeVries had told her she looked beautiful daily while knowing her. During a practice, DeVries said he had made it a personal goal to tell her she was beautiful at least once a day because she deserved it. 

Doe said she was uncomfortable and laughed it off before walking away.

On a different day at 9:06 p.m., DeVries texted Doe a photo of himself eating cheesecake on his hotel bed during a team trip, followed by a heart-eyes emoji.

Doe replied with “it’s good” and “I just ate mine.” 

DeVries replied, “You have good taste.”

On another day, DeVries texted Doe, “I don’t like when you’re not [at practice]. I like seeing you. :/ it just wasn’t the same.” He added, “Can’t wait to see you. I mean it. I missed you today. It was sad.” 

Doe did not respond. 

In a different text, DeVries said, “I was [at practice] today” and messaged a second time saying, “[Witness] said I just missed you” with a crying emoji. 

Doe did not respond. 

On another night, at 11:33 p.m., DeVries texted Doe, “Make sure you get sleep.” Doe did not respond. 

Following this, DeVries sent another message: “You still feeling okay?” Doe did not respond. 

DeVries, on another account, texted Doe that he had dropped something in her locker, texting, “Remind me to tell you something funny tomorrow.”

The following day, she asked what it was; he replied and said it was too hard to text, then proceeded to text: “ I was standing by [a facility] during your [event] and they were like ‘that’s the hot girl we saw outside’ and one was like ‘I’m gonna [pursue] her… Look at her.’ So yeah. You’ve got [something].” 

DeVries continued to text Doe, with the following messages at unrelated times:

“Man you kill me. All I want for Christmas is for [you] to text me more often.” Followed by, “Oh damn, are you on the way to [location]?” followed by “I’m sorry for guilt texting you. I forgot you had plans this weekend.”

“I really appreciate you. I don’t say it enough. Thanks.” Doe did not respond. 

“On my way,” DeVries texted Doe after asked about an item she had left somewhere, saying he would bring it to her. Doe tried suggesting she could grab it in the morning.

“You looked like [a certain way] today. That’s good!” DeVries said this was a comment strictly about her performance.

“I don’t need you to respond to this. I just haven’t been able to focus in the office because I’ve been thinking about you and never want to see you upset like you were,” DeVries texted after a competition where Doe performed poorly.

“You are the only one to call me. Just saying :),” DeVries texted. Doe never responded and was at home.

“Some people were walking over so I didn’t want to say too too much in front of everyone but you literally looked amazing. Gets me really excited to see you when [you’re actually competing].”

During a period of several months, DeVries brought Doe coffee. Doe said he only did this for her and not others.

DeVries texted, “I can bring you some iced Philz tomorrow for after [weights] if you want” with a smiling emoji.

In 2023, Roe said to DeVries she was leaving UK. DeVries allegedly said, “If you’re going to quit, just fucking quit.”

DeVries denied saying this. 

After Roe left, DeVries showed Kilgore Roe’s Instagram post with a picture of him announcing her departure, with positive comments about him to show as evidence of their positive relationship. 

According to the complaints, DeVries discussed a prior investigation and suspension with Doe during a team trip. 

DeVries told her the suspension was due to a picture taken during a previous trip. Doe said she was sorry and didn’t know.

“Well, now that you know everything. Thanks for having my back,” DeVries texted Doe.

She later learned the real reason for the suspension allegedly involved a direct message DeVries had sent an athlete saying how the two of them looked “hot” together.

2024

In early 2024, DeVries’ hugs toward Mary Smith occurred more frequently. 

DeVries texted Doe throughout 2024 with the following comments:

“Sometimes I don’t get out everything I want to say. I should have just looked you in the eye and said that I’m really confident in you right now. I wouldn’t want anyone else [competing for the team]. You’re the one.” DeVries said this was meant as coaching encouragement following a competition.

At 11:25 p.m., DeVries sent a text, “I’d still take the hug but you don’t need to. Maybe just text me when you get out of dinner. Thanks for taking really good care of me.” Doe did not respond. At 12:51 a.m., he sent a second text, “Thanks for [today]. I know it wasn’t just for me. But I feel like you [did it] for me. And I appreciate it. Night J.” Doe did not respond again.

During a trip, DeVries texted Doe, “I feel like I had 1000 dreams with you in them last night. You ever have that? Same person keeps being in them…” Doe did not respond. He then texted again at 8:03 p.m., and then sent another at 11:42 p.m., “Did you really not want to talk to or text me.” and “What did I do” and “At least put your read receipts on so I know.” and “I’m like THE one in your corner. Forever. I promise. But you have to meet me halfway.” Doe explained the next day she was busy. He replied with, “Sorry I sent that. It was out of line.” 

“I heard something really good this week and I’ve been thinking about you. Once you know what you are, all it takes is someone to remind you,” DeVries texted Doe. He said the text was a quote he found from a Navy SEAL on Instagram.

DeVries also sent a text to Doe a picture of his wife’s belongings next to Doe’s belongings that said, “My wife and you. Lol” and “It probably shouldn’t surprise me.”

Doe asked if it was a coincidence and he replied, “No. But of course it’s you too,” and “That’s why I like you both lol.” Doe did not respond.

However, in the year, DeVries had a meeting with Roe about his wife’s concerns about their ongoing communication. During the meeting, Roe said DeVries allegedly said: “My wife needs to be more fucking secure in our marriage.” At the end of the meeting, DeVries allegedly said, “Now that that’s out of the way, can I give you a proper hug?” and picked her up off the ground.

In another conversation, DeVries texted Doe, “Come see me” and “Have a gift for you.”

After a competition at 8:57 p.m., DeVries texted, “Did you make it back?” When Doe said yes, he replied with “Thankyou. Need some hot bread?” Doe did not respond, and at 12:08 a.m. texted, “Did you fall asleep?” She did not respond. He then texted “I care about you x1 million.”

DeVries texted Doe asking if she wanted to “grab an iced coffee or Graeters this afternoon.” Doe declined to go and said she had plans. He responded with “Ok” and “What about iced coffee or Graeters?” and “Today. But if you;re busy, then another day. I’d like it if you do.” Doe declined again and DeVries said “Ok. No worries. Yeah. Maybe tomorrow afternoon. Or I’ll just keep asking :)”

DeVries commented to Smith outside of the other two witnesses that she needed to shave her legs while she was wearing spandex. A witness said the comment was “weird” and was confused as to why DeVries was looking at Smith’s legs.

DeVries also commented to Smith about an Instagram reel involving an OnlyFans model who had made $30 million, then asked why people use OnlyFans “when porn is free.”

Another witness said Doe was in a full front hug embrace with DeVries on the bleachers. Doe pulled back and DeVries hugged her a second time. The witness said Doe appeared stunned and tense.

During a team trip, DeVries allegedly remained in his vehicle when female athletes were changing inside the car. A witness stepped outside, but DeVries remained in the car.

DeVries discussed his prior suspension with Doe and others at a dinner during a team trip.

2025

In early 2025, DeVries told Doe he had a personal goal to tell her she was beautiful once a day. Doe was uncomfortable and laughed it off. DeVries, however, denied making this comment. 

At the Lexington Airport, DeVries walked beside Smith and commented on a man drinking beer and put his arm around her. On the plane, he brought up that she had not re-added him on Snapchat and would not drop the subject until she privately added him back.

DeVries pulled Doe aside from a group, put his arm around her shoulder and waist. He told her she was “hotter” than an athlete.

DeVries texted Doe asking for her room numbers, then appeared at her door late at night. Doe’s formal complaint when she opened the door, he told her he “needed a hug” and that it had been a hard day.

He appeared as though he wanted to come inside, so she placed her arm across the doorway to block movement. Doe told him it was time for him to go to sleep. He leaned against the door, rolled his head along it, hugged her again, thanked her for being his emotional support and left. DeVries said he never tried to enter the room or that the interview lasted more than 60 seconds.

DeVries poked Doe through the plane seats from the row behind her. A witness said Doe appeared annoyed. The witness checked in on Doe and said “it’s almost over.”

DeVries said on a small massage gun near Smith, and said it “looks wrong” and suggested it could be used a small vibrator and that someone shouldn’t leave it around.

In a goal meeting with Smith, DeVries was reviewing her performance and he suggested completing it on spring break “sitting by the pool in your bikini [Doe] always does it that way” and said he “likes it better that way.”

According to former Kernel reporting, DeVries was suspended and investigated by the university’s Office of Equal Opportunity on June 22, 2025.