I suspect the reason that bashing is the default response is, as you suggest, how valued loyalty to the coach, to the team, and to the organization is. I'd also suggest that a never-quit attitude also plays a role.

But loyalty is a two-way street. Is the coach loyal to you? Will your coach train you, believe in you when you're in a rut? Or will your coach simply seek another player if you cannot perform on demand? What's more, an athlete is encouraged to endure, to persist, to see through any adversity (even an "old school" coach who demeans his players). Why so? “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

I'm not saying that such values are not valuable. But they certainly favor the status quo. Sometimes change is necessary, even good - and of course should be encouraged and even praised.