Just in time for March Madness, scandal has hit the University of California – Berkeley and its men’s basketball program. On Monday, the school fired one of their assistant basketball coaches over allegations of sexual harassment. 33-year-old Yann Hufnagel, who has been with the UC Golden Bears since 2014, was released by the school yesterday after an internal investigation concluded that he had sexually harassed a female reporter during his time at Cal.
The woman, who remains anonymous, claims that she worked with Hufnagel as part of her job between 2014 and 2015. She complained about a “detailed series of communications and behaviors” between her and Hufnagel that were inappropriate, which caused the university to open up an investigation on him last August. The investigation concluded that he had violated the school’s policy against sexual harassment and as a result, he was let go.
“California’s head men’s basketball coach, Cuonzo Martin, has initiated termination proceedings under University of California policy against assistant coach, Yann Hufnagel,” the school said in a statement. “Effective immediately, Hufnagel has been relieved of his duties pending the outcome of the termination process and will not be traveling with the team during its NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament run.”
Hufnagel has claimed his innocence in the whole thing and plans to hire lawyers to argue his case. “I’m crushed,” he told ESPN. “I can’t believe it. I’m blindsided. I never imagined this would be the outcome.”
The team will have to move on without Hufnagel as they get ready to play against Hawaii on Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Source: ESPN
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