A high school basketball coach has been dismissed following an incident involving inappropriate conduct towards a female player after the team faced a loss.
Jim Zullo, who was serving as the girls’ varsity basketball coach at Northville High School in Fulton County, New York, was recorded engaging in an unacceptable act. The footage shows him pulling the ponytail of a player named Hailey Monroe.
This unsettling event occurred after a championship final at Hudson Valley Community College on Friday, March 21, as reported by WRGB Albany.
The video that captured this moment has since spread widely on social media, revealing the 81-year-old coach approaching Monroe and yanking her hair.
Monroe, who is a senior and the all-time leading scorer, had apparently fouled out of the game, contributing to the Falcons’ defeat by LaFargeville. She was visibly upset when Zullo approached her.
Following the incident, Monroe walked away, while a teammate seemed to step in between them to intervene.
The coach, seemingly angered, was then observed pointing at the teammate before the video ended.
The incident sparked a backlash on Twitter, where viewers condemned the coach’s actions as unacceptable.
One user commented: “Yes, I get it, emotions are high. However, a coach’s role is to coach, mentor, support, and provide guidance, not to abuse. That’s why they are held to a higher standard than the players they coach.”
Many praised Monroe’s friend for her intervention.
“Unacceptable behavior from the coach! Kudos to the friend for standing up for her teammate and showing what it means to be a good friend,” another person commented.
Another user remarked: “I appreciate her teammate standing up for her.. That’s what a real teammate would do in that moment… She showed courage.”
In a statement given to ABC affiliate News 10, Zullo alleged that Monroe had used an expletive towards him after he instructed her to shake hands with the opposing team.
“Zullo said the girl had claimed him an expletive,” a third social media user noted. “If that was the case then kick her off the team. But physically touching her is just wrong.”
The Northville Central School District also issued a statement on its website, expressing that it is ‘aware’ and ‘deeply disturbed’ by the coach’s behavior during the Class D New York State championship game.
The statement read, “We hold our coaches to the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect for our student-athletes, and this behavior is completely unacceptable.”
“The District is committed to ensuring that this type of behavior has no place within our programs, and we will continue to uphold the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families and community expect and deserve.”
“This individual will no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District.”
The statement concluded with an assurance that the issue is being taken very seriously, stating: “The District will be following up with the affected players and their families to provide support and outline the actions we are taking in response to this incident.”