Former Yale men’s hockey coach Keith Allain has accused Athletic Director Victoria Chun of creating a 'toxic environment' within the university’s athletic department.
In a letter sent to Yale President Maurine McInnis in October following his retirement, Allain called Chun the 'absolute worst leader' he has ever encountered - describing her as dishonest, self-centered, and inaccessible. He stated multiple coaches urged him to speak up amid concerns about candid feedback on Chun’s contract extension.
Allain cited a sharp decline in team performance under Chun: 220-144-39 before her tenure versus 62-110-15 after. He emphasized that while he accepts coaching responsibility, leadership culture directly impacts outcomes.
Allain coached Yale from 2006 to 2025, winning the 2013 NCAA championship and seven Ivy League titles. Chun became Yale AD in 2018 after leading Colgate Athletics from 2012-18.