San Jose State coach Todd Kress has been one of the key figures in the drama surrounding trans volleyball player Blaire Fleming, that has turned a spotlight on his team and the Mountain West Conference. But Fleming's appearance on the scene at SJSU did not start with Kress. It was the Spartans' previous coach and current Loyola Marymount University women's volleyball coach Trent Kersten and his staff who brought Fleming to San Jose. RELATED: SJSU's Brooke Slusser Speaks Out On Fight Against NCAA: ‘Title IX Exists For A Reason’ SJSU Coach Todd Kress Comments On Trent Kersten's Relationship with Blaire Fleming Kersten remains radio silent amid the controversy surrounding Fleming, which has seen seven volleyball matches canceled, six of which were recorded as forfeits by teams opposing San Jose State. OutKick spoke with SJSU coach Todd Kress about Kersten and whether the former coach had kept tabs on the player he brought over from Coastal Carolina prior to the 2022 season. Kress said Kersten has failed to check in on Fleming, the player he recruited, or communicated with the program in any way as teams began to forfeit against the Spartans. "Trent brought Blaire to SJSU and [Fleming] played for him for the 2022 season before his departure to LMU," Kress commented to OutKick, a day after his team lost to San Diego State (Nov. 9). READ: Suspended SJSU Volleyball Coach Says 'Safety Is Being Taken Away From Women' "My frustration with Trent is an unfortunate situation," the SJSU coach continued. "[Trent Kersten] obviously knows Blaire is in the crosshairs of this debate and yet he has not reached out to [Fleming] one time to check in on [Fleming's] mental health. I find it sad to be honest." OutKick Visits Trent Kersten At LMU, Jesuit School Stays Silent Fleming played two seasons at San Jose State after one year with Coastal Carolina in 2020. The volleyball athlete transferred from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina before the 2021-2022 season. In May 2022, the Save Women’s Sports Act was enacted in South Carolina, prohibiting biological males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Former SJSU Coach Is Longtime Trans Advocate Kersten, at least according to some of his social media activity, appears to be an advocate for trans rights. The coach, who comes from a volleyball family and played at UCLA, previously reposted an image on his X account with a BLM fist surrounded by a rainbow, captioned "VolleQuality." After recruiting Fleming to the Spartans, Kersten left SJSU for LMU in early 2023. Earlier this season, OutKick attempted to interview Kersten about the situation unfolding with his former team and Fleming, attending a volleyball match at LMU on Sept. 20. Personnel at LMU's Gersten Pavilion presented OutKick's request to Assistant Sports Media Relations Manager Taylor Turner. After requesting a sit-down with Kersten to discuss Blaire Fleming, LMU's athletic staff quickly clammed up. In a follow-up message after the match, OutKick asked LMU if it had been aware of Kersten's involvement with recruiting Fleming before hiring him at a private, religious institution. The university responded by saying that the NCAA's guidelines for recruiting permitted Kersten to bring on a trans player at SJSU. "Trent Kersten is among the best head coaches in the nation," LMU told OutKick in September after we attended the match. "We cannot speak to the recruitment practices of other institutions or the student-athletes on other rosters across the sport." "The NCAA Board of Governors ultimately decides policies regarding the eligibility of student-athletes." Kersten's recruitment of Fleming to SJSU are still being felt. On Sunday, we asked LMU about SJSU coach Todd Kress' comments regarding Fleming and Kersten. LMU did not respond to OutKick's request. Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com