Ahead of the Big 12 Tournament, Texas Tech has suspended men’s basketball coach Mark Adams for the use of an “inappropriate, unacceptable, and racially insensitive comment” he made to a player last week.
According to a release the program published Sunday, Red Raiders athletic director Kirby Hocutt was made aware Friday of the incident between Adams and an unnamed player on the team.
“Adams was encouraging the student-athlete to be more receptive to coaching and referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents, and slaves serving their masters,” the statement read. “Adams immediately addressed this with the team and apologized.
“Upon learning of the incident, Hocutt addressed this matter with Adams and issued him a written reprimand. Hocutt subsequently made the decision to suspend Adams effective immediately in order to conduct a more thorough inquiry of Adams’ interactions with his players and staff.”
There was no indication about the length of the suspension or who would take over as interim coach.
What’s next for Texas Tech after Mark Adams suspension?
The Red Raiders are 16-15 this season, with a 5-13 conference record, placing them ninth out of ten teams in the Big 12. Texas Tech is in the middle of a three-game losing streak and is set to meet West Virginia (18-13) Wednesday in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, which will take place in Kansas City, Missouri.
Texas Tech, which is 2-2 in neutral site games this season, split its games against the Mountaineers this season, winning the most recent contest, 78-72 at Morgantown, West Virginia, on Feb. 18, but losing the first matchup, 76-61 at home on Jan. 25.
Adams is in his second season in Lubbock and has compiled a 43-25 (.632) record with the Red Raiders, including a NCAA Tournament appearance last year that culminated in a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
