She was hired in 2013 with only limited coaching experience, having served as an assistant at Mercer Island High School in Washington state in 2010, according to Loyola’s website. On Sunday, the school made a decision to fire three-year head coach Sheryl Swoopes after they concluded an investigation which has been ongoing for the last few months.
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The school said in April that it would investigate allegations against Swoopes brought by former players.
One player, Cate Soan, said that she created a hostile environment and humiliated her personally.
Loyola University Chicago has fired Sheryl Swoopes as women’s basketball coach, after some players complained about what they saw as mistreatment and others left the team, The Chicago Tribune reported.
Loyola didn’t give a reason for Swoopes’ dismissal, but it did say the search for her replacement begins immediately.
The firing follows months of controversy during Swoopes’ tenure as Loyola’s women’s basketball coach.
Swoopes was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in April and is scheduled to be inducted in September.
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After the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, 10 of the 12 remaining Loyola women’s basketball players asked to be released from their scholarships.
“It’s my hope that the student-athletes will be provided a full explanation of what has unfolded”, Swoopes said in a statement released by her agent.
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Five players told the Chicago Tribune in April that Swoopes threatened to take away scholarships as a motivational tool and that emotional, intimidating coaching style led to the decision to leave. “In respect of the (July 4) holiday, we plan to have Sheryl’s voice heard at an appropriate time”. “In the recent months, there have been accusations and false attacks made of my character and coaching”. Those players said Swoopes micromanaged their lives outside of basketball and shared personal information about the players with the team, recruits and members of the Athletic Department. Five players had transferred from the school the year before.
