George Washington University has fired basketball coach Mike Lonergan amidst allegations of abuse.
George Washington head coach Mike Lonergan calls out to Alex Mitola (1) as Tyler Cavanaugh (34) waits to inbound the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Valparaiso in the finals of the NIT Thursday, March 31, 2016, in New York.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
George Washington head coach Mike Lonergan gestures during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. Joseph in the Atlantic 10 men’s tournament, Friday, March 11, 2016, at New York.
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
AP Photo/Mary Altaffer
George Washington head coach Mike Lonergan, left, encourages his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, in Washington. George Washington won 73-68.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
George Washington head coach Mike Lonergan yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against DePaul on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, in Rosemont, Ill.
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
George Washington head coach Mike Lonergan talks with George Washington guard Patricio Garino (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, in Washington. George Washington won 73-68.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
George Washington head coach Mike Lonergan, center, reacts with his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, in Washington. George Washington won 93-87.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Brian Sereno, a spokesman for GWU athletics, said in an emailed statement that the university “conducted a thorough investigation” into allegations concerning the coach.
“The university concluded that Coach Lonergan had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the university’s values,”聽Sereno said in the email.
The university expected to have an announcement about an interim coach “soon.” Sereno said” a broader review” of the athletics department was underway.
reported the Colonials’ coaching staff was told of the decision Friday night, and that the source wished to remain anonymous.
The decision comes months after an聽investigation into allegations聽against the coach’s behavior toward his players.
In July,聽聽, creating an offensive, intolerable environment. 聽At the time, the university announced it was聽 鈥渦ndertaking a Title IX review鈥� but that 鈥渟ome of the reported allegations go beyond the scope of Title IX.”
Lonergan told The Washington Post that 鈥渢hese types of accusations鈥� were previously investigated by the school 鈥渁nd found to be groundless.鈥�
The coach led the Colonials to the NCAA tournament in 2014, and the school had extended聽Lonergan’s contract through 2021.
The Associated Press and 海角社区app’s Tiffany Arnold contributed to this report.
