Florida International head coach Mike MacIntyre recently issued an apology for comments he made about the history of the FIU football program, but many of his former players are casting doubt on his sincerity, citing negative experiences under his leadership.
If the allegations from these players are accurate, they paint a troubling picture of MacIntyre and the culture he fostered in Miami.
The controversy began during MacIntyre’s weekly media appearance on Tuesday when he was asked whether the 2025 season would be a “make or break year” for him and the Panthers. In response, he stated, *”This program hasn’t had a good history at all since the beginning of it.”
As expected, the remark sparked backlash. FIU fans, alumni, and former players expressed their frustration with MacIntyre’s comments. After 36 hours of intense criticism, he issued an apology on Wednesday.
The timing of his statement didn’t help matters. MacIntyre, who was hired in 2022, has yet to lead FIU to a winning season. The Panthers finished 4-8 in both of his first two years and currently sit at 3-7 with two games remaining. A potential 5-7 record won’t meet expectations. Had his remarks about the program’s struggles come during a period of success, they might have been received differently. Instead, they were met with outrage.
The situation worsened when former players began speaking out. One of the most vocal critics was linebacker Gaethan Bernadel, who retired suddenly after playing just one game in 2024. Bernadel, a former team captain and All-CUSA standout, revealed that his departure stemmed directly from his experiences with MacIntyre. He described an incident in which MacIntyre threw a chair in the locker room, a story that resonated with other former players.
Another former player, Caleb Lynum, who played at FIU from 2018-2022, shared that he was hit in the face during his time with the program. Meanwhile, Davon Strickland, once the team’s leading tackler, called for a leadership change at FIU.
Bernadel hopes his decision to speak out will encourage others to share their experiences. He also detailed two additional incidents from his final seasons with the program, adding to the growing outcry against MacIntyre.
As with any controversy, there are three sides to the story: MacIntyre’s perspective, the players’ accounts, and the truth, which likely lies somewhere in between. However, with an increasing number of former players corroborating each other’s claims, the scales seem to tilt in favor of the locker room’s version of events.
As of now, neither FIU nor MacIntyre has released a formal statement addressing the allegations. Given the mounting scrutiny, both are likely to respond soon, either individually or together.