Wagner College basketball coach suspended for 'verbally abusing players and refusing to let them have water breaks'

BleedGopher

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Wagner College head basketball coach Donald Copeland has been suspended and is being investigated by the school for alleged mistreatment and verbal abuse of players.

According to the New York Post, Copeland verbally berated his own players and denied them access to water breaks during intense practices.

While Copeland has not been found responsible for these accused actions, multiple complaints were sent to the school - which led to the investigation.

Sources told the Post that Copeland's behavior was the main reason why only two players returned to the school from last season - with former players alleging he caused 'psychological damage'.

According to one complaint from a current player, Copeland allowed minimal - if any - water breaks during workouts this summer.

Per the Post, when players asked for water, Copeland would respond, 'If you're thirsty, swallow your spit.'

Other allegations include when a player hid a Gatorade bottle in the gym. When Copeland found it, he ordered his players to run, telling them 'You're all going to run until the Gatorade is out of his belly.'

Two players passed out due to dehydration with one of those players going to the hospital, according to the Post.

A former player said he was called a 'p***y, a b****, a punk, a vagina' by Copeland. That same player said when he made mistakes in practice, Copeland would sometimes 'stand there and point to his private parts'.

Other players said Copeland would tell them their parents gave birth to a 'p***y' and that their poor performances were a reflection of their upbringing.

Letters sent to the school's administration also detailed 'extreme film session, to which we the players refer to [as] a funeral because we know we are about to be mentally bashed and cussed out'.


Go Gophers!!
 



I thought this stuff was long gone. What makes coaches think major intimidation is good motivation?
 

Yup, pretty crazy. How did he get hired? #1 Name calling is childish and certainly is not effective.
Disgusting, reprehensible and unbelievable this guy got a job.
#2 Regarding the prevention of water...also just stupid. There can obviously be serious health consequences to that strategy.
Pretty sure all my coaches are dead but I guess they coulda had grand kids.who heard the stories.
 


"Go have asthma on the other field" - Jimmy Johnson
I coached kids with asthma...terrified they were going to die on my watch every practice. They sat a lot and shot free throws on the side...ha. Watch somebody fight to breathe as they look into your eyes terrified it's the end for them and you are standing there feeling helpless. Not fun for anybody. Always felt bad for kids with asthma.
 




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