After 33 days, countless “no comment” responses to local reporters, and a dull roar from Cougar fans, College of Charleston President Glenn McConnell issued a statement yesterday saying that CofC basketball coach Doug Wojcik had been fired “for just cause.” The termination of Wojcik, who took over two years ago after Bobby Cremins stepped down, comes just days before students return to campus for the fall semester.
McConnell’s predecessor, George Benson, reportedly told the school’s athletic director Joe Hull to call off the dogs when the AD told Benson that he wanted to ditch Wojcik. Hull was apparently responding to a 50-page report that included detailed allegations of verbal abuse by Coach Wojcik, who’d gone 38-29 in his two seasons as the leader of the men’s basketball team.
Since then, very little had been heard from the president’s office on Wojcik’s status, until Tuesday.
In a letter to the campus community that was also emailed to alumni, McConnell broke the silence:
“I am writing today to let you know I have made the decision to terminate Head Men’s Basketball Coach Doug Wojcik’s employment at the College of Charleston for just cause, pursuant to the terms of his contract, effective immediately.”
Although McConnell declined to discuss the specifics of the dismissal, it’s worth noting that the use of the term “just cause” is key for CofC, administratively, as it likely seeks to avoid paying Wojcik the $600,000 remaining on his four-year contract. Coach Wojcik has reportedly hired the “go-to” lawyer for NCAA coaches Scott Tompsett, to represent him.
A joint statement released today by members of the CofC men’s team thanked Cougar fans, alumni, and the administration for their “unwavering support during this horrendous situation.”
“We completely and wholeheartedly concur with the findings in the investigation and the actions President McConnell has taken in this matter,” the statement read.
Declining to comment individually, the players collectively expressed their sympathy, saying, “We forgive Coach Wojcik and hope that he and his family can move forward in a positive manner from here.”
Longtime fan-favorite ex-Cougar Anthony Johnson is high on a lot of CofC fans’ lists to replace Wojcik, including P&C’s Gene Sapakoff, sparking an online petition pushing for the school to hire Johnson. At least one player has endorsed former assistant Amir Abdur-Rahim, who was hired away by Texas A&M to work in the SEC in April.
Be sure to follow the P&C’s Andrew Miller and ABC 4’s Scott Eisberg and Daren Stolzfus, who have been following this story for weeks.
A look at July’s Wojcik report and the log of quotes kept by former Cougar reserve guard Bart Benton, as reported by the P&C (NSFW):
Number of times the word “fuck” appears in some form: 175
Number of times the word “fag” appears in some form: 15
Number of times the word “parents” appears: 63
Reported quote from Wojcik to guard Trevonte Dixon, who has since transferred: “Why are you getting bad grades? This school isn’t even hard. When you graduate, you might as well burn your degree because it’s not worth anything.”
Reported quote from Wojcik in a text message supposedly sent mistakenly to guard Anthony Stitt: “Be in a thong and heels in a bit”
Reported quote from Wojcik to Cougar big man David Wishon: “No one likes you. You’re 7’ fucking 2. And no one likes you.”
Reported quote to Wishon: “You’re a cunt hair. You’re a little bitty cunt hair.” Stay cool. Support City Paper. City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.