Report: Army Coach Fired After Putting Hands on Player

Army basketball coach Jim Crews was fired this week for reasons that the West Point brass has not made clear -- but one report suggests it was the result of Crews putting his hands on a player during a practice.

Army released a terse statement from Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson Thursday morning:

"There was a series of events that led me down the path to determine that I needed to make a change in leadership of the men's basketball program and terminate coach Crews' contract," Anderson stated. "I am very disappointed with some things that have come to my attention in recent days and I have decided that it is in the best interests of the basketball program and the institution to terminate our relationship."

Crews did not have a particularly strong record on the court at Army, going 60-139 in seven seasons, including 11-19 last year. But if his firing were for the team's record, it would have happened at the end of last season, not just a few weeks before this season's practice starts. So something more must be going on, even though Army isn't saying what that "series of events" Anderson refers to is.

The Times Herald-Record, however, is reporting that West Point sources say Crews may have been fired in part for putting his hands on a men's basketball player during a workout or practice. Putting your hands on a subordinate is a major no-no in the military -- just ask George S. Patton.

So while we don't know for sure why Army fired Crews, and Crews himself isn't talking, the emerging story is of a coach who lost his job for impermissible contact with a student. Coincidentally, Crews played at Indiana for Bob Knight.

To stay updated on this story and other college sports news, follow me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-26-2009 @ 6:29AM

mjsjr52 said...

Should have been fired for his record but if these allegations are true, he should be ashamed for putting his hands on someone who is being prepared to protect his freedoms, potentially in harms' way.

Interesting is that he is a Knight protege who was also the coach at the USMA.

9-26-2009 @ 7:36AM

DShook said...

So what kind of whimps are posing as ballplayers these days? My high-school football coach used to kick out butts when we screwed up. Believe me, we didn't screw up again.

9-26-2009 @ 9:18AM

Weshusky said...

Just what does it take for Mr. Smith to call someone's won/lost record dismal? To say Coach Crew's record was "not particularly strong"
at 60 and 139 suggests Mr. Smith is "not particulalry strong" at evaluating facts.

9-26-2009 @ 9:44AM

plat250 said...

Its not a question of the players being wimps. its a question of conduct towards young impressionable men. Coach Crews puts his hands on a young man in practice in a violent way then that young man and his teamates do the same to someone and so on and so on. A good example is that Coach Crews played at Indiana for that piece of sh*t Bobby Knight.

9-26-2009 @ 9:47AM

huskerdaninva said...

This story just re-emphasizes just what is lacking in today's youth culture. It would appear that this young man took offense at being coached. If the coach was simply positioning or re-positioning a player for a particular drill and put his hands on the player than tough cookies. Suck it up junior! I can just see it now, "Coach, you can't talk to me that way. I DEMAND respect". Just like some of these young lower EM's in today's military, especially those of the female persuassion, same nonsense. "Hey Sarge, you can't talk to me like that!" What a bunch of feces. This is just a microcosim of what is wrong in our society today...ohhh, don't touch me it's disrespectful! Bunch of doggone pantywastes. Back in the day, when soldiers were soldiers, ANY issue was just handled the good old fashioned way..."One on One" counciling. Cuts down on paperwork and does wonderful things for motivation. Batle Boar Sir!!

9-26-2009 @ 12:33PM

BLONDIE said...

I could not agree more; best comment of the day!
USMC - 1958-1964

9-26-2009 @ 9:51AM

Belkin said...

A remarkably imprudent statement by the AD.
He should be the next to go, once the inevitable lawsuit is settled.

9-26-2009 @ 10:16AM

Angela said...

Maybe they didn't fire him until just before the new season because they waited until they had a replacement. That's the way most sports teams handle these changes. Keep them on until the other negotiations are pretty set, or fire them and if they can't get a replacement in time, no coach.

9-26-2009 @ 10:34AM

Rhett said...

Didn't have a very impressive record? LOL When is the last Academy school that had a winning basketball record since David Robinson played for Navy!!

9-26-2009 @ 11:08AM

FCalcara said...

I used to have a wrestling coach in high school, Bethesda, Maryland that took a knife to us during practise! Well he made me into a great wrestler and I earned a wresting scholorship at George Washington University! So if a coach can make a person an outstanding n their sport - then do so! If the player is so much of a pussy to take the "tough teaching" then the player should go home to Mommy!

9-26-2009 @ 11:57AM

wamper said...

Two badd ewe didunt larn two spel wid dat scholorship. Practus..practus..practus.

9-26-2009 @ 11:24AM

ranch hand rick said...

plat 250, do yu have the guts to say that to Coach Knights face. betcha don't.....

9-26-2009 @ 12:15PM

mwriter35 said...

You don't hit subordinates in the army, period. It's unprofessional, and it's against the rules---and obeying rules is the core of the military. You people bragging about how coaches hitting you or bringing knives to practice sound like the biggest loser douchebags on AOL right now.