The University of California in Berkeley terminates its assistant coach on men's basketball team Monday amid sexual harassment allegations. The university came under fire for how the school lightly handling the claims of sexual harassment such as the previous incidents involving a professor and law school dean.
The termination proceeding of assistant coach Yann Hufnage has been initiated by the University of California men's basketball head coach, Cuonzo Martin citing a violation of the school's sexual harassment policy on Monday, according to the Washington Post. The Intercollegiate Athletics Department of California made the announcement on Monday regarding the said decision.
"Effective immediately, Hufnagel has been relieved of his duties pending the outcome of the termination process and will not be traveling with the team during its NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament run," the source quoted.
Dan Mogulof, the university spokesman, said the accuser has no affiliation to the school, the Guardian reported. The university president said the sexual harassment allegations are being reviewed into a new process of reviewing.
In response to the criticism the school is facing, she ordered university officials to undergo sexual assault and harassment training. In October, the university was on a high-profile sexual harassment case involving a well-known astronomer.
Hufnagel, who was in his second season as assistant coach with the Golden Bears was accused by a womanof sexual harassment. According to Yahoo News, the woman who was a reporter, "detailed a series of interactions" with Hufnagel that happened between November 2014 and May 2015.
Hufnagel coached with the team all season despite the probe, and word of an investigation never leaked to the press until his dismissal. Following the termination proceeding announcement, Hufnagel commented through his Twitter account, saying "My time to exonerate myself of a fruitless claim by a reporter will come".
Hufnagel joined Cal from Vanderbilt and previously, Harvard, where he also served as assistant coach. He earned his bachelor's degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University in 2006, and his master of education with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletic administration from Oklahoma in 2010.
