CHICAGO _ After being fired Sunday as Loyola's women's basketball coach, Sheryl Swoopes released a statement Tuesday expressing her "disappointment" that she will no longer coach at the university.
"It's my hope that the student-athletes will be provided a full explanation of what has unfolded," Swoopes said in a statement released by her agent. "As students, they deserve truth and transparency. All I can say at this point is that I do feel vindicated. I was 100 percent pleased with what I thought clearly supported all I've ever tried to provide as a coach, an employee and the woman of character my mother has raised."
The statement did not specifically address the allegations levied against her by former players or the investigation launched in April by the university that led to her firing after three seasons.
Swoopes, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame later this year, had been under the microscope since a rash of player transfers and allegations of mistreatment by former players were levied against her. The school later hired a law firm to assist with the investigation and interviewing of players.
"Last week I was looking forward to what lied next, right after the holiday," Swoopes said in the statement. "We'd been planning to greet eight of the 12 committed student-athletes to campus today. I've heard people speak of Transformation Tuesday (on social media) and now I experience it. I'm disappointed that I won't have the opportunity to be there on this Tuesday as 'Coach Swoopes.'"
Swoopes had a 31-62 record in three seasons at Loyola, including a 14-16 mark last season. She received a contract extension after her first season that ran through 2017-18.
Five former players told the Chicago Tribune in April that Swoopes was extremely difficult to play for, frequently threatening players with the loss of scholarships, and that her unusual coaching style led to exodus of players from the program.
Five players transferred after the 2014-15 season, and the university granted requests from 10 of the 12 returning players from last season's roster to be released from their scholarships.
Loyola hired Swoopes in 2013 without any coaching experience, and players found her style difficult, according to former players. They said she cried during halftime of games and during practices while imploring the team to play better and stormed out of the gym during practice several times, frustrated at their lack of execution. At one practice, multiple players said, Swoopes sat on a chair in silence the entire time.
Swoopes also shared with teammates personal information told to her in confidence, sources told the Tribune.
The five players who transferred after Swoopes' second season included two she had recruited. Nine of the 10 who left after last season were Swoopes recruits.
Only one assistant coach, Jeanine Wasielewski, has remained on Swoopes' staff since she was hired. Six staffers departed over her first two seasons, either dismissed by Swoopes or because they didn't feel comfortable with her style, sources said.
Loyola said in a statement Sunday that a search for her replacement will begin immediately.
