|
Morehead State men's basketball coach Sean Woods has resigned following an investigation into alleged physical abuse of his players. Athletic director Brian Hutchinson on Thursday announced Woods' resignation after four-plus seasons guiding the Eagles. Hutchinson called the situation "tough'' as he announced Woods' departure from the program. Woods has been suspended since Nov. 22 and was charged with misdemeanor battery after two players -- Malik Maitland and Soufiyane Diakite -- said in a court affidavit that they had altercations with Woods. Woods faces a Feb. 9 hearing. It wasn't the first time Woods had issues since taking the job. In 2012, his first season with Morehead's program, he was suspended for shoving player Devon Atkinson during a game. Edson Maitland, the father of Malik Maitland, told ESPN his son informed him that Woods head-butted him late last season but quickly apologized, asked for forgiveness and promised it would never happen again. Edson Maitland said his son told him he reported the incident to the team's trainer.  "We are very, extremely disappointed in Coach Woods," Edson Maitland told ESPN earlier this week. "He came into our home and violated our trust, the trust that we put in him as a coach. Not only did we ask him to coach our son, but to treat our son just as he would treat his own son. He was reckless with willful intention in his action toward my son, inflicting such a pain on him." Woods was charged with misdemeanor battery, according to court documents obtained by WTVQ, after he allegedly backhanded Malik Maitland in his chest at halftime of a Nov. 19 matchup in Evansville, Indiana, and shoved Diakite during and after the game. Woods, who played with "The Unforgettables" Kentucky squad that reached the Elite Eight in 1992, was suspended three days after the game at Evansville. Evansville Sgt. Patrick McDonald said misdemeanor battery in Indiana is defined as any alleged assault that results in a "complaint of pain" from an alleged victim. It does not mean anyone was injured, he said. Hutchinson said assistant Preston Spradlin will continue as interim head coach of the Eagles (2-7), who have lost seven straight including five in a row since Woods' suspension. The AD said a national search for Woods' successor will begin after the Christmas holidays. Information from The Associated Press included in this report.
|
