A lip reader has offered insight into what might have been said during a heated exchange that led to the dismissal of a basketball coach.
Jim Zullo, the basketball coach at Northville High School, was fired following the release of a viral video where he was seen pulling the hair of a female player.
The incident occurred on Friday, March 21, after Northville’s team was defeated by La Fargeville with a score of 43-37 in the New York State Class D championship.
The match was live streamed, and viewers witnessed an intense moment between Zullo and a player named Hailey Monroe.
In the footage, Monroe appears visibly upset as the opposing team receives their medals, when Zullo suddenly tugs on her ponytail and begins to criticize her.
Another player, Ahmya Tompkins, tries to step in, prompting Zullo to also lash out at her.
Lip reader Nicola Hickling has shared her interpretation with Mail Online, speculating on the dialogue.
According to Hickling, Tompkins intervened by telling the coach, “Leave her. That’s not okay.”
Zullo continued, but Tompkins insisted, “no, leave her.”
Hickling claims Zullo responded angrily to Tompkins, saying, “you shut it.”
The video quickly spread on social media, sparking demands for the coach’s resignation.
The Northville Central School District subsequently announced Zullo’s termination, stating he would no longer coach the team.
In their statement, the district expressed: “The Northville Central School District is aware of, and deeply disturbed by, the conduct of the Coach of the Girls’ Varsity basketball team during the Class D New York State championship game.
“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.”
Zullo also issued an apology, acknowledging his inappropriate actions and praising the team’s efforts.
In his statement, he expressed: “I deeply regret my behavior following the loss to La Fargeville Friday night in the Class D state championship game.
“I want to offer my sincerest apologies to Hailey and her family, our team, the good folks at Northville Central Schools and our community.
“As a coach, under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player, and I am truly sorry. I wish I could have those moments back. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached girls basketball at Northville the past two years, especially last season, which was a difficult time for our family.
“I am super proud of every one of these young women and what they accomplished. I know each of them will go on to do great things and I wish them well.”