head coach

Brandeis Men's Basketball Coach Fired for Alleged Discrimination, Racially Biased Harassment

The Brandeis University men's basketball coach Brian Meehan has been fired following allegations of discrimination and harassment, according to president Ronald Liebowitz.

In a statement to the Brandeis community Liebowitz wrote that last year, several students filed serious discrimination complaints about Meehan. The complaints included, "preferential and discriminatory treatment, unprofessional behavior, and racially biased harassment."

Those allegations sparked an investigation, Liebowitz wrote. He went on to explain that the administration investigated Meehan and took appropriate disciplinary action.
However, another complaint arose this past week, and at that point the university decided to place Meehan on administrative leave. After reviewing the recent development in the context of Meehan's past, the university decided to fire him.
"I want to be absolutely clear: At Brandeis, there is zero tolerance for discriminating against any student, staff member, faculty member, or visitor because of their race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or any other aspect of their identity," Liebowitz wrote

Those allegations sparked an investigation, Liebowitz wrote. He went on to explain that the administration investigated Meehan and took appropriate disciplinary action. Friday, Liebowitz announced that athletic director Lynne Dempsey had been put on leave.

However, another complaint arose this past week, and at that point, the university decided to place Meehan on administrative leave. After reviewing the recent development in the context of Meehan's past, the university decided to fire him.

"I want to be absolutely clear: At Brandeis, there is zero tolerance for discriminating against any student, staff member, faculty member, or visitor because of their race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or any other aspect of their identity," Liebowitz wrote.

Friday, Liebowitz said the school would retain two independent counsels to investigate.

"I want to apologize on behalf of the university to the students who brought the complaints forward, to any other students who may have been harmed and didn't come forward, and to our entire community," he wrote. "We have a responsibility to provide everyone with a safe environment. We must and will do better. These issues strike at the heart and soul of what Brandeis represents, and we will work with integrity and great intentionality to make things right."

Meehan joined Brandeis as the head coach in 2003 and is the winningest coach in school history.

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