Greg McDermott of Creighton suspended for ‘tree planting’ comments

The school’s athletic director Bruce Rasmussen suspended Creston men’s basketball coach Greg McDrum from all team activities for his “tree planting” comments last week. Announced Thursday night.

“After our Crayton men’s basketball team returned to Omaha today, [school president] Father [Daniel] Hendrickson and I were engaged in conversations and discussions with other key leaders regarding appropriate sanctions for remarks made by Head Men’s Basketball Coach Greg McDermott with the Buyer’s commitment to racial equity, diversity and respect Were not in alignment, “Rasmussen said in a statement.” Coach McDermott and the team have acknowledged that, effective immediately, he is suspended from all team activities, including the conclusion of Saturday’s home season against Butler. Further restrictions are being considered, all of which will not be shared publicly. Assistant coach AI Has will serve as interim head coach. “

After Saturday’s loss to Xavier, McDermott told his players, many of whom are black, that they needed to be together and said “I need everyone to be in the plantation.” I cannot have any plantation. “

The 56-year-old, who is in his 11th season at the school, apologized for his “inappropriate” words in a statement on Tuesday, referring to slavery. He said that he “recognized my grave mistake immediately.”

“I’ve never used that analogy and it’s not a sign of who I am as a person or a coach,” McDermott wrote. “I am deeply sorry. I have apologized to my student-athletes and my staff, as well as to the President [Rev. Daniel] Hendrickson and athletics director Bruce Rasmussen. “

McDermott Said on Creighton’s pregame radio show He offered his players to resign before facing Big East leader Villanova on Wednesday, but “our people wanted me to coach.” He again apologized after the loss to the Wildcats (17-7, 13-6). McDermott said the team needed to come back to Omaha and “need some more conversations that we should have so that I can help them and they can help me.”

What awaited him upon his return was a suspension.

“Coach McDermott and our athletics program should use this event as an opportunity for growth and learning, as clearly more work is needed,” Rasmussen said.

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