Georgia Tech on Tuesday fired head women’s basketball coach MaChelle Joseph, following an independent investigation into alleged mistreatment by Joseph of players and staff.
According to the Associated Press, Joseph contends that she was being retaliated against for her complaints about gender equity issues at Georgia Tech.
The decision to remove Joseph comes after she was placed on leave late in the basketball season once two of Georgia Tech’s top four scorers had quit the team at the same time.
Independent firm Littler Mendelson was put in charge of the investigation. The firm released a report on its findings, which revealed that every student-athlete reported "concerns regarding alleged emotional or mental mistreatment" by Joseph. The Atlanta Business Journal reported that student-athletes alleged the team environment was "toxic," "suffocating," "unhealthy" and "hostile," describing Joseph's conduct as "bullying" and “emotionally, mentally and verbally 'abusive.' "
Joseph, 49, will leave Georgia Tech with a 311-198 record during her 16-year tenure as head coach. She guided the team to a total of seven NCAA Tournament appearances.
