SFU hoops coach leaves post amid player dissent
Virgil Hill’s resignation leaves the NCAA Div. 2 school looking for its third coach in as many years
The coach of Simon Fraser University men’s basketball program has parted ways with the school amid a flurry of allegations from students about his hard-driving methods.
Citing a desire to spend more time with his family, Virgil Hill resigned his position as the Clan’s head coach Friday.
Hours later, a story was published on the website of The Peak, SFU’s student newspaper, which alleged that a number of his players were at odds with the way he coached the team.
“Yes, we were aware that his style was making it difficult,” athletic director Theresa Hanson said. “There were challenges associated with his style. I am disappointed that we’re going to have our third coach in as many years, and that our student-athletes are affected by this.”
The resignation comes on the heels of six Clan players — all of whom still had remaining eligibility — leaving the team at various points of a season during which the NCAA Div. 2 team won just one of 20 conference games.
Max Barkeley, Pape Seck, Denver Sparks-Guest, Matt Rud, Oshea Gairey and Graham Smith will not return to the team in 2016-17.
“The true nature of these allegations will come to light,” Hill said. “I am disappointed at the situation after working hard, in good faith, with the players. I wanted them to have the same positive experience I had during my 11 years as a student-athlete and coach at SFU.”
While no Clan player who spoke with the Sunday Province denied Hill coached with an edgy, vocal demeanour in games and practices, there was a clear contrast in how they received that coaching style.
Barkeley, a junior guard who parted ways with the team late in the season following a heated exchange in practice with Hill, was the coach’s sharpest critic and felt Hill’s style did nothing for team morale.
“It’s just such a horrible atmosphere,” Barkeley told The Peak. “Losing never helps, but the coaching staff just does not look out for us.”
When contacted by the Sunday Province Saturday, Barkeley declined to comment further.
“I don’t think that he brought out the best in his players in a positive manner,” returning forward Gibran Sewani told the Sunday Province.
Sewania added that his relationship with Hill improved throughout the year.
“The guys just needed more positive reinforcement. But I think things have been blown out of proportion. Max had a completely different experience with (Hill).”
Added Gairey: “To be honest, I felt the SFU program as a whole was not as focused on basketball as it needed to be. But I just wanted to say that coach Hill, he’s hardnosed and he’s a yeller, but when you go anywhere, that happens.
“If you want to compete, that’s on the guys being mature enough to handle it. I think (Hill) deserves more credit and a chance to be understood and respected as a human being.”
For more on this story, go to provincesports.com. htsumura@postmedia.com