Creighton men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott has been suspended from all team activities for racially insensitive comments 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 talked and discussed with other senior leaders about appropriate sanctions for statements from men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott that they were not in line with the commitment to racial equity, diversity and respect, “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 season finale against Butler. Other sanctions are still being considered, not all of which will be shared. publicly.
“Coach McDermott and our Athletic program need to use this incident as an opportunity for growth and learning, as it is clear that more work needs to be done.”
McDermott apologized Tuesday for referencing a “plantation” to his players after a loss to Xavier last week.
“Specifically, I said,‘ Guys, we need to stay together. We need both feet. I need everyone to stay on the plantation. I can’t get anyone out of the plantation, ”McDermott said.
McDermott said Wednesday on the pre-Creighton radio show (before coaching the Bluejays vs. Villanova) that he offered to resign over his comments. He said the players did not ask him to resign.
“Our guys wanted me to train, and that’s my job,” McDermott said.
After Creighton announced the suspension on Thursday, McDermott went on social media and said he believed the school’s decision was the right one.
“I made a mistake and I own it,” he tweeted. “Mistakes have consequences and I accept and agree to the suspension.”
McDermott has been Creighton’s head coach since 2010. Before taking over the Bluejays, he spent a decade as head coach in the state of Iowa, northern Iowa and the state of North Dakota.
Creighton, No. 14 in this week’s AP poll, fell to 17-7 overall and 13-6 in the Big East after his back losses against Xavier and Villanova. Assistant Al Huss will serve as interim head coach in McDermott’s absence.