Men’s McDonald’s basketball coach Greg McDermott has been suspended from all team activities due to racially sensitive remarks he made to his players last week, the school announced Thursday night.
The decision came two days after the school said any disciplinary action would remain confidential.
“After our Creighton men’s basketball team returned to Omaha earlier today, Fr. Hendrickson and I spoke with other senior leaders and talked about appropriate sanctions for the remarks of Greg McDermott, head coach of basketball, which are not in line with Creighton’s commitment to racial equality, diversity and respect, “said athletic director Bruce Rasmussen in said a statement. “Coach McDermott and the team have accepted that he, immediately in force, will be suspended from all team activities, including the final final on Saturday at Butler against the home season. Further sanctions are being considered, and not all will be shared in public.
“Coach McDermott and our Athletic program should use this incident as an opportunity for growth and learning, as clearly more work needs to be done.”
McDermott on Tuesday apologized for referring a “plantation” to his players following a loss to Xavier last week.
“I specifically said, ‘Guys, we need to stay together. We need both feet. I need everyone to stay on the plantation. I can’ t let anyone leave the plantation, ‘” McDermott said.
McDermott said on Wednesday in Creighton’s pre-show radio program – before coaching the Bluejays against Villanova – that he had offered to resign over his comments. He said the players did not ask him to resign.
“Our guys wanted me to coach, and that’s my job,” McDermott said.
After Creighton announced the suspension Thursday, McDermott turned to him on social media, saying he believes the school’s decision is the right one.
“I made a mistake and I own it,” did he tweet. “Mistakes have consequences, and I accept and agree with the suspension.”
McDermott has been Creighton’s head coach since 2010. Prior to joining the Bluejays, he served as head coach for a decade in the state of Iowa, Northern Iowa and North Dakota.
Creighton, no. 14 in the AP poll, dropped to 17-7 overall and 13-6 in the Great East after his rugby losses against Xavier and Villanova. Assistant Al Huss will serve as interim head coach in McDermott’s absence.