UNC women’s basketball coaches placed on paid leave, program under review

The coaches of the University of North Carolina women’s basketball team have been placed on paid administrative leave due to “issues raised by student-athletes and others,” UNC’s athletics department said. 

The department told CNN in a report published on Tuesday that the school has enlisted the help of law firm Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein to lead a review into the culture of the women’s basketball program and the experiences of the players.

{mosads}It is unclear how long the review will last or the nature of the issues that prompted the review. However, the department has assured the examination will be “thorough and prompt.” 

“The University of North Carolina is committed to the well-being of our student-athletes and to ensuring that they have the best experience possible in and outside of competition,” the department added in the statement.

Sylvia Hatchell, the renowned head coach of the team, told the news network in a statement that she would “cooperate fully in this review.” 

“I’ve had the privilege of coaching more than 200 young women during my 44 years in basketball. My goal has always been to help them become the very best people they can be, on the basketball court and in life,” she continued.

“I love each and every one of the players I’ve coached and would do anything to encourage and support them. They are like family to me,” she added. “I love them all.”