Cal State Northridge Basketball Staff Placed On Leave

The Cal State Northridge men’s basketball coaching staff has been placed on administrative leave due to potential rule violations.

Cal State Northridge director of intercollegiate athletics Michael Izzi announced the move Thursday, releasing a statement saying that an internal review is underway into head coach Mark Gottfried and his staff.

"Upon learning of potential rules violations within our men's basketball program, I directed an immediate review and have placed our men's basketball coaching staff on paid administrative leave while we complete this internal review,” Izzi said. “Our focus will be on the welfare of our student-athletes and ensuring their academic, athletic and personal success. CSUN does not comment on specific employee issues and cannot elaborate further about the nature of the potential violations while the review is underway. However, CSUN is committed to ensuring full compliance with all university and NCAA regulations while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and institutional responsibility."

Gottfried spent six seasons coaching North Carolina State before being fired in February 2017. According to ESPN, Gottfried also ran into NCAA issues at North Carolina State, receiving a failure-to-monitor charge as part of the NCAA Level I violations stemming from NC State’s involvement in the federal pay-for-play scheme in college basketball.

Gottfried was NC State’s head coach when assistant Orlando Early was accused of facilitating a $40,000 payment from ex-Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola to the family of NC State recruit Dennis Smith Jr.

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Cal State Northridge hired Gottfried in March 2018. He has led the Matadors to a 37-51 record in three seasons.

Gottfried sued NC State in September 2020 after the university allegedly stopped making settlement payments. He had about $2.28 million left on his deal when fired.

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