GW’s Lonergan out as coach after probe into verbal abuse

Players detail allegations of bizarre, offensive behavior

George Washington fired Mike Lonergan as its men’s basketball coach in the wake of an independent investigation into claims he verbally abused players, Provost Forrest Maltzman said in a statement Saturday.

The investigation came after a Washington Post report this summer that the school had fielded complaints from players about Lonergan’s behavior. The accusations included Lonergan denigrating players and making repeated graphic, offensive remarks about Patrick Nero, the school’s athletic director.

“The university has created and is committed to maintaining a community where all students, faculty and staff feel welcome and comfortable,” Maltzman wrote. “We value inclusion and diversity and will not tolerate conduct that runs counter to those principles.

“The university recently conducted a thorough investigation into allegations concerning Coach Lonergan. The university concluded that Coach Lonergan had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the university’s values.”

George Washington is conducting a “broader review” of the athletic department and will complete it in the “near future,” Maltzman said. Maltzman offered no details about the job security of Lonergan’s staff, Nero or any other athletic department officials.

“We recognize and embrace our responsibility to provide a supportive and respectful environment for all members of our community,” Maltzman said.

Lonergan, a Maryland assistant during the 2004-05 season, and his attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. George Washington made no officials available.

Lonergan’s dismissal comes at an awkward time. In two weeks, George Washington will hold its first practice. The Colonials recently returned from a team trip to Japan, on which Lonergan served as the head coach.

Lonergan, an Archbishop Carroll and Catholic University graduate, guided the Colonials to the National Invitation Tournament title in March. He has a 97-70 record since moving to George Washington from Vermont in 2011 and led the Colonials to the 2014 NCAA tournament.

Beneath the success, though, 13 players have left the program in his five seasons, including three after the season in each of the past four years. This summer, players detailed wide-ranging allegations about behavior they considered abusive and bizarre. One former Colonials player said he attended therapy sessions owing to Lonergan’s actions. Players said he frequently told them to stay away from Nero because Nero was sexually obsessed with them, which players believed was not grounded in reality.

“These types of accusations have already been investigated by the university and found to be groundless,” Lonergan said in July in an emailed statement. “Those who know me know that I conduct myself and run my program with integrity.” Washington Post reporters Gene Wang and Steven Goff contributed to this article.