“Guys, we got to stick together. We need both feet in. I need everybody to stay on the plantation. I can’t have anybody leave the plantation.”
And just like that, Creighton head men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott took it there.
The emotionally charged comment was uttered by McDermott in the locker room after the team’s loss at Xavier on Saturday. He instantly knew he messed up and prepared for the consequences.
He met with players individually on Saturday and Sunday to discuss his shocking comments. On Tuesday, he Tweeted his apology and waited for his fate, one which he felt the team itself would render.
On Wednesday, he disclosed that he was prepared to resign, but that’s not what his team wanted.
In the meantime, others chimed in including the Big East.
“We believe Coach McDermott’s apology is a necessary first step in Creighton’s healing process, and we are confident that Creighton’s leadership will continue to address this matter in an appropriate manner.”
On Tuesday evening, McDermott coached the team in a loss to Villanova and the school issued their own statement on the incident.
“While an apology is a start, and while we believe this was out of character for Coach McDermott, in no way does it diminish the fact that his remark was hurtful to many and has absolutely no place in the Creighton community,” Creighton’s statement said. “We have offered our full and unconditional support to those affected by his words.”
Thursday evening, Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen announced on Twitter that McDermott had been suspended.
“Coach McDermott and the team have accepted that, effective immediately, he is suspended from all team activities, including Saturday’s home season finale against Butler. Further sanctions remain under consideration, not all of which will be shared publicly.”
We don’t know the exact extent of his overall punishment, but for the next few days, McDermott will have the time to reflect on the hurt that he caused.
“You hope in this world that one mistake doesn’t define you, but obviously this one is going to for me for quite some time,” McDermott said. “I hurt some people that are really, really close to me and that I care deeply about.”
Hopefully next time he’ll choose his words more wisely.
