Adams cited a Bible verse referencing slaves serving their masters to a player.
LE††UCE PREY
Texas Tech suspended men’s basketball coach Mark Adams for making “an inappropriate, unacceptable, and racially insensitive comment” last week, the school announced Sunday.
Kirby Hocutt, Texas Tech’s athletic director, on Friday became aware of an instance in which Adams encouraged a player to “be more receptive to coaching and referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents, and slaves serving their masters,” the school said.
Per Stadium, Adams said “I was quoting the scripture” when he told a player there is “always a master and a servant.” Adams told Stadium “one of my coaches said it bothered the player.”
“On Friday, Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt was made aware of an incident regarding a coaching session between Adams and a member of the men’s basketball team,” the school said in a statement. “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. 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.”
Adams confirmed the basics of Texas Tech’s account to Stadium and said that he did not apologize for what he said.
“I was quoting the scripture,” Adams told Stadium.
Adams addressed the team the following day, but said it was to explain the situation. He said he did not apologize.
“One of my coaches said it bothered the player,” Adams said.
The school is also looking into another incident in which Adams allegedly spat on a player. Adams said he had sought medical treatment for a bad cough and the incident occurred during a game.
“I can spit on you whenever I want to,” one person close to the situation said Adams told the player. Adams said he didn’t remember saying that.
Adams denied that he spit on a player, but admitted he slobbered on the player during the game after having a bad cough and going to the doctor.
