Creighton Basketball Coach Greg McDermott suspended for urging players to ‘stay on the plantation’

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Creighton University suspended basketball coach Greg McDermott indefinitely on Thursday night for using racially insensitive language while addressing the team after a game last weekend.

McDermott again apologized Tuesday and Wednesday for urging his players to “stay on the plantation” after Bluejays’ loss to 14th place at Xavier’s 77-69.

McDermott coached Wednesday night in the 72-60 defeat of Bluejays at No. 10 Villanova. Assistant coach Alan Huss will serve as interim head coach for Saturday’s home game against Butler.

“I made a mistake and I own it,” McDermott said in a Twitter post after the suspension was announced. “Errors have consequences, and I accept and agree to the suspension.”

Athletic director Bruce Rasmussen said he and college president Rev. Daniel Hendrickson met with senior administrators on Thursday to determine disciplinary action against McDermott.

“Coach McDermott and the team have accepted his immediate suspension from all team activities, including Saturday’s home season final against Butler.”

The university’s statement announcing the suspension did not specify how long McDermott would be suspended. Creighton athletic spokesman Rob Anderson told The Associated Press that no end date has been set.

Rasmussen said additional sanctions are being considered, which will not be made public.

“Coach McDermott and our athletics program should use this incident as an opportunity for growth and learning as clearly more work needs to be done.”

McDermott, in an apology he posted to Twitter on Tuesday, acknowledged saying, “Guys, we have to stick together. We need both feet. I need everyone to stay on the plantation. I can’t let anyone leave the plantation. “

McDermott, who is white, said he immediately recognized that he had made a “blatant mistake” and spoke to his team about his use of a term reminiscent of slavery and the pre-war South.

In a statement, the university called McDermott’s language “regrettable” and said it was inconsistent with the values ​​and commitment of the private Jesuit school to create a welcoming environment.

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