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OMAHA, Neb. – Creighton University suspended basketball coach Greg McDermott indefinitely Thursday night for using race-insensitive language when addressing the team after a game last weekend .
McDermott publicly apologized Tuesday and again Wednesday for urging his players to “stay on the plantation” after the 14th-place Bluejays’ 77-69 loss to Xavier.
McDermott coached in the Bluejays’ 72-60 loss to No.10 Villanova on Wednesday night. Assistant coach Alan Huss will serve as interim head coach for the home game against Butler on Saturday.
“I made a mistake and I own it,” McDermott said in a Twitter post after the suspension was announced. “Mistakes have consequences, and I accept and accept the suspension.”
Athletic director Bruce Rasmussen said he and university president Rev. Daniel Hendrickson met with senior officials on Thursday to determine disciplinary action against McDermott.
“Coach McDermott and the team have agreed that, effective now, he will be suspended for all team activity, including Saturday’s home season final against Butler.
The university’s statement announcing the suspension did not specify how long McDermott would be suspended. Creighton sports spokesman Rob Anderson told The Associated Press that no end date has been set.
Rasmussen said additional sanctions are under consideration, none of which will be made public.
“Coach McDermott and our track program must use this incident as an opportunity for growth and learning as there is clearly more work to be done.”
McDermott, In of the apologies he posted on Twitter Tuesday acknowledged saying, “Guys, we have to stay together. We need both feet. I need everyone to stay on the plantation. I can’t let anyone leave the plantation.
McDermott, who is white, said he immediately admitted he had made a “glaring error” and discussed with his team his use of a term evocative of slavery and war in the south.
In a statement, the university called McDermott’s language “deplorable” and said it was incompatible with the values and commitment of the private Jesuit school to creating a welcoming environment.
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