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Creighton University men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott was suspended Thursday after urging his players to “stay on the plantation” during a locker room speech following a loss on Saturday.
His suspension by the Nebraska-based Big East School was announced just two days after officials said any disciplinary action against McDermott would be kept confidential.
“After our men’s Creighton basketball team returned to Omaha earlier today, Father Hendrickson and I engaged with other senior leaders in a dialogue and discussion regarding the appropriate penalties for the remarks made by men’s basketball head coach Greg McDermott that did not match Creighton’s commitment to racial fairness, diversity and respect, ”Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen said in a statement.“ Coach McDermott and the team have agreed that, with immediate effect, he will be suspended from all team activities, including Saturday’s home season final against Butler. “
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McDermott, 56, who was in his 11th season with the Creighton Bluejays, posted on Twitter Thursday night that he had accepted the decision.
“I made a mistake and I own it. Mistakes have consequences, and I accept and agree with the suspension,” wrote the coach.
McDermott, who is white, admitted telling his players after a 77-69 loss to Xavier on Saturday: “Guys, we have to stay together. We need both feet. I need everyone to stay in the game. plantation. I cannot. have someone leave the plantation. “
Creighton has a diverse racial roster that includes several black players.
McDermott apologized on Twitter on Tuesday, writing that he used a “woefully inappropriate analogy to make the point of staying together as a team despite the loss.”
“I never used that analogy and it doesn’t indicate who I am as a person or as a coach,” McDermott said in his post. “I am deeply sorry. I apologized to our student-athletes and staff.”
Creighton coach Greg McDermott watches the team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Butler in Indianapolis on January 16, 2021 (AP Photo / Darron Cummings, File)
CREIGHTON COACH MCDERMOTT EXCILS FOR ‘PLANTING’ NOTE
McDermott coached Creighton from the sideline in the team’s 72-60 loss to Villanova on Wednesday, the Omaha World-Herald reported. It was the team’s first game since his controversial remarks.
Assistant coach Alan Huss has since been named interim head coach, according to Rasmussen’s statement on Thursday. The school added that McDermott could face further disciplinary action.
“Coach McDermott and our track program must use this incident as an opportunity for growth and learning as it is clear there is still work to be done,” the statement added.
The Bluejays are expected to start the postseason game next week at the Big East tournament.
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Prior to taking on the Creighton gig, McDermott was head coach in Iowa State, Northern Iowa, and North Dakota State.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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