UNC puts entire women's basketball coaching staff on leave during investigation
http://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/unc-north-carolina-entire-womens-basketball-coaching-staff-on-leave-during-investigation/11kxvqthgnw8i147uvszviqu9z
North Carolina has placed longtime women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell and her entire staff on paid administrative leave while it conducts a "review" of the program.
UNC said in a release Monday afternoon that the probe was initiated "due to issues raised by student-athletes and others" but the announcement did not offer any more specifics.
Lawyers from the Charlotte office of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein will "conduct the review and assess the culture of the women's basketball program and the experience of our student-athletes," the university said, adding: "While we do not know the exact timetable, the review will be thorough and prompt."
Hatchell released a statement saying she would "fully cooperate" with the review.
"I’ve had the privilege of coaching more than 200 young women during my 44 years in basketball," Hatchell said, via the Daily Tar Heel. "My goal has always been to help them become the very best people they can be, on the basketball court and in life. I love each and every one of the players I’ve coached and would do anything to encourage and support them. They are like family to me. I love them all. Of course, I will cooperate fully in this review. I look forward to a prompt conclusion of this matter and the continuation of our very successful women’s basketball program."
The announcement comes less than a week after Georgia Tech fired MaChelle Joseph following a probe into allegations that the coach had mistreated players and staff. Joseph had been placed on leave Feb. 27 while a law firm investigated the complaints. Joseph has disputed the report's findings.
Hatchell, 67, has led the Tar Heels program since 1986. She won the national championship in 1994 and has made two more Final Four appearances since then. She won NAIA and AIAW national championships at Francis Marion in Florence, South Carolina, before moving to Chapel Hill.
Hatchell is fifth on the all-time wins list with a career record of 1,023-405 in 44 seasons overall and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
North Carolina was a No. 9 seed in this year's NCAA Tournament and lost 92-72 to No. 8 seed Cal in the first round, giving the Tar Heels an 18-15 record this season.