OMAHA, Neb. Creighton University suspended basketball coach Greg McDermott indefinitely on Thursday night for using race-sensitive language while 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 Bluejays’ 14th-ranked 77-69 win over Xavier.
McDermott defeated the Bluejays’ 72-60 defeat to Villanova no. 10 afgerig. 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 agree with the suspension.”
Athletics director Bruce Rasmussen said he and university president Rev. Daniel Hendrickson met with senior administrators Thursday to determine disciplinary action against McDermott.
“Coach McDermott and the team have accepted that he, immediately in force, will be suspended for all team activities, including Saturday’s final against Butler at home.”
The university statement announcing the suspension did not specify how long McDermott would be suspended. Rob Anderson, athletic spokesman for Creighton, told The Associated Press no end date has been set.
Rasmussen said additional sanctions were being considered, and none of them would be made public.
“Coach McDermott and our athletics program should use this incident as an opportunity for growth and learning, as clearly more work needs to be done.”
McDermott, ian apology he posted on Twitter admitted on Tuesday, ‘Guys, we need to stay together. We need both feet. I need everyone to stay on the plantation. I can not let anyone leave the plantation. ”
McDermott, who is white, said he immediately admits he made a ‘serious mistake’ and with his team addresses his use of a term using slavery and the southern antebellum.
In a statement, the university called McDermott’s language ‘deplorable’ and said it was not in line with the values and commitment of the private Jesuit school to create a welcoming environment.