George Washington has fired its men’s basketball coach, Mike Lonergan, according to USA Today’s Dan Wolken on Friday. Per the report an unnamed player met with the athletic department’s Title IX coordinator Rory Muhammad to file a complaint against Lonergan in mid-April.
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Lonergan’s ousting comes two months after George Washington began investigating allegations that the sixth-year coach was verbally and emotionally abusive to his players. Jackson understands the challenges FSU presentsWhat message is Penn State sending by honoring Paterno?Cubs setting up rot.
The Colonials went 28-10 last season and won the NIT, beating Valparaiso 76-60 in the final.
If the reports are true, then Lonergan finishes with a 97-70 (.581) records at George Washington, including a 44-39 (.530) record in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
“I don’t think the guy should be in sports”, one former player said. One player said he had to seek therapy after his time with the program. 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. In those interviews, some players confirmed disparaging comments Lonergan made about other players on the team, in addition to comments made about at least one opposing player. I would like to stay at GW.
Lonergan Coached the University of Vermont men’s basketball team for six seasons from 2005-2011. In 23 years of coaching, Lonergan has amassed a record of 474-226. Some of those transfer decisions were a direct result of Lonergan’s behavior.
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A source told CBS Sports that investigators asked players if they would be upset if Lonergan were fired. They open this season on November 11 against Maryland-Eastern Shore.
