Six of the players spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. "Our administration and my staff believe in the way we are building and turning this program around here,” she said, in part. Hocutt fired Stollings on Thursday night. Hocutt will host a Zoom press conference Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. Additional information regarding the press conference will be released on Friday morning.”. Since graduating from Tech Brice has covered the Mavericks, Rangers, and college sports for a variety of outlets. He would reach underneath sports bras and press on pubic bones, and players say that he was verbally abusive and would make inappropriate comments about their appearance and dating life. He demanded that she get on the scale, yelled her weight to a room full of men’s basketball players and angrily berated her. Players recall Petrella taking photos of them from multiple angles, ostensibly to show their progress throughout the season, but they never saw the photos. ■ The three international players on rosters the past two seasons allegedly faced treatment such as being ridiculed, isolated and threatened by coaches. Hocutt and Stollings each released statements Tuesday to USA TODAY Sports in response to a list of allegations. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Petrella resigned in March after Texas Tech presented him with the allegations. Texas Tech has fired assistant women’s basketball coach Nikita Lowry Dawkins, a school spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Friday morning. Twelve of 21 women have left the team and school, all since coach Marlene Stollings took over the program in 2018. “Good evening, I have really appreciated your trust in our conversation these past two days,” Hocutt texted players. Hocutt said Wednesday night that he had met with the women’s basketball players for an hour and met with the team and coaching staff for more than two hours, according to USA Today. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/big12/2020/08/07/ The improvement came at a cost, at least for the players. Hocutt’s outlined how a committee reviewed the players' allegations against Petrella as well as other issues regarding the program. Stollings stood by her coaching philosophies Tuesday. “I have thoroughly discussed this review with Coach Stollings and am confident that we are taking appropriate steps to improve the relationship and communication between coaches and student-athletes so that we can continue to grow the success of our program both on and off the court.". “Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt has announced the termination of Lady Raider basketball head coach Marlene Stollings effective immediately. Players say coaches dismissed some injuries and pressured players to play even though a trainer or medical professional recommended otherwise. ET Friday. “I was just so embarrassed,” Merriweather told USA Today. Copyright © 2020 The Dallas Morning News. An investigation by USA Today and the Intercollegiate. Wednesday's report by USA TODAY Sports, in collaboration with The Intercollegiate, was based on season-ending exit interviews with players from the past two seasons, other documents and interviews with 10 players, two former assistant coaches and two parents. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt met with Lowry Dawkins Friday morning before terminating her, effective immediately, the spokesperson said. There has been a mass exodus from Texas Tech’s women’s basketball program. He met with players that afternoon for more than an hour, and subsequently with the team and coaching staff for more than two hours, he said in a statement that evening. Some wonderful young women have decided to leave our program and pursue their dreams elsewhere. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas. Texas Tech has fired women's basketball coach Marlene Stollings following allegations of abuse and creating a toxic team environment within the program.According to USA Today The report published Wednesday detailed allegations of verbal abuse, sexual harassment and emotional manipulation. Hocutt is scheduled to hold a video conference call with news media at 4 p.m. 9:20 PM on Aug 6, 2020 CDT — Updated at 9:15 AM on Aug 7, 2020 CDT. Our student athletes are developing a disciplined approach both on and off the court. “Additionally, based on information received we conducted an in-depth program review of our women’s basketball program. a USA TODAY investigation into what 10 players allege was an abusive culture under head coach Marlene Stollings, Lowry Dawkins and strength and conditioning coach Ralph Petrella. An investigation by USA Today and the Intercollegiate found that players felt abused by Stollings and her coaches. Coaches called post players “fat pig,” “grossly out of shape” and “grossly disproportional,” four say. Could history repeat itself? In interviews with USA Today, players discussed the abuse they endured from Stollings and her staff. Kirby". "I want our students, fans and alumni to know we are committed to winning championships at Texas Tech and doing it the right way through hard work, accountability and fierce determination.". The termination follows a USA TODAY investigation into what 10 players allege was an abusive culture under head coach Marlene Stollings, Lowry Dawkins and strength and conditioning coach Ralph Petrella. The program has had 17 head coaches since it began play during the 1925–26 NCAA men's basketball season. © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. He plans to meet with them again on Thursday, too. Emmi Merriweather, who transferred to Kansas, recalls how Stollings scolded her when she started showing signs of anxiety and depression. Could Texas A&M make the College Football Playoff? Big wins, less daunting remaining schedule enhance Aggies’ odds, Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch slated to make his return vs. Cardinals, This North Texas suburb is the best in the state for first-time homebuyers, study says, Feds say they’ve busted meth ring run by owner of Fort Worth clothing store, Suspect in custody after woman fatally shot in Mesquite, police say, Check out this Design District warehouse that was converted into a home priced at nearly $2 million. Stollings was not being fired despite overseeing the program that saw over half of its players leave in two years, and retaining a strength and conditioning coach accused of harassment and abuse. Texas Tech (then known as Texas Technological College) basketball team was formerly … Merriweather remembers Petrella body shaming her one morning when she stopped by his office for a snack, since she hadn’t eaten breakfast. Literally. Former Texas Tech center Emma Merriweather claimed in the report that Stollings took her dog away from her and offered it to a booster because the dog distracted her from basketball. Is Texas Tech taking this as seriously as it should? “There is nothing more important to Texas Tech and me personally than the experience of our student-athletes,” Hocutt said in the statement. Here are some quotes from exit interviews obtained by USA Today and the Intercollegiate: “By how she treats people, her character seems poor.”, One player said coaches “used fear to motivate you,” and that there was “not one person on this roster that feels comfortable going up to our coaches (sic) office.”, “Do something about the coaches,” another player wrote, “so that my teammates don’t have to continue suffering in silence.”. When asked to provide a copy of the committee's review, Texas Tech said a report was given to Hocutt verbally. Despite these allegations, Stollings has kept her job. Texas Tech women’s basketball coach keeps job despite 'toxic atmosphere,' abuse claims, mass exodus.