If no news is good news, then Hawaii had a better day than California, its opponent at the NCAA tournament.
If no news is good news, then Hawaii had a better day than California, its opponent at the NCAA tournament.
The Golden Bears’ preparation faced an inevitable distraction Monday when assistant coach Yann Hufnagel was reportedly fired amid an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.
“California’s head men’s basketball coach, Cuonzo Martin, has initiated termination proceedings under University of California policy against assistant coach, Yann Hufnagel,” a school statement said. “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 actions follow a finding, issued today by UC Berkeley’s Office of the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination that Hufnagel violated the university’s sexual harassment policy.”
Hufnagel joined Martin’s staff when he took over the Cal program in 2014.
After winning the Big West championship Saturday in Anaheim, Calif, the 13th-seeded Rainbow Warriors stayed on the mainland as they prepare to face the fourth-seeded Golden Bears (23-10) in the South Regional. The teams meet in the first round of the NCAA tournament at 8 a.m. HST Friday in Spokane, Washington, on TBS.