Five months after leading George Washington to an NIT
championship, Mike Lonergan is no longer the head coach of the Colonials. There
was an unexpected coaching change in college basketball late Friday night, as
it was reported by USA Today that George Washington has decided to part ways
with head coach Mike Lonergan. Most of
the allegations leveled against Lonergan pertain to the bigoted comments he has
frequently made against the players in the past, such as repeatedly telling a
player to transfer to a transgender league.
Thirteen players transferred from the program in Lonergan’s
five years at the helm. He posted a 97-70 record during his time in D.C. These allegations first came to light in July
2016, for which the coach has already been undergoing inquiry.
Lonergan led the Colonials to 22 wins or more in each of the
last three seasons, winning the Postseason NIT this past season, but he’d come
under fire during the summer following allegations of verbal abuse levied by
former players. George Washington has fired Lonergan, USA Today reported late
Friday night. School officials did not immediately return messages from Yahoo
Sports seeking confirmation.
This move follows nearly two months of investigation into
accusations that he had verbally and emotionally abused at least one player. Over
his five-year tenure with the team, 13 players have transferred out of the
program.
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