Women's basketball coach offers rebuttal, claims firing is retaliation

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - FOX 5 Atlanta has received a copy of the investigation report containing allegations of emotional and mental abuse inside Georgia Tech women’s basketball program.

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Georgia Tech announced the firing Tuesday of long-time women’s basketball coach MaChelle Joseph after the institute said it conducted an investigation into allegations of student-athlete mistreatment, sparking a fiery response from Joseph’s attorneys who described the firing as “an unlawful campaign of retaliation.”

Joseph rebutted saying in part, "while I demand commitment and accountability, I have never and would never subject my players to verbal or emotional abuse."

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In a letter obtained by FOX 5 that was sent to donors of the Tech women’s basketball program, Athletic Director Todd Stansbury confirmed the dismissal of Joseph.

In his letter to “Friends of Georgia Tech Women’s Basketball”, Stansbury wrote, “Coach Joseph’s dismissal comes following an independent investigation into allegations of student-athlete mistreatment. The well-being of our student-athletes will always be the top priority of our athletics department.  I am disappointed and saddened that the well-being of student-athletes was being compromised and we will take actions to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

But in a statement provided to FOX 5 Atlanta, Joseph’s attorney Lisa Banks said, “This termination is the culmination of an unlawful campaign of retaliation against her for advocating for gender equity in athletics at Georgia Tech.  For years, Georgia Tech has provided sub-standard resources to its women’s basketball program including in facilities, marketing, travel, and funding, while providing significantly more and superior resources to its men’s basketball program.”

According to her attorney, “Coach Joseph has been a vocal advocate for her team over the past several years.  Her advocacy and objections to the subpar treatment of the women’s basketball team have been met with fierce resistance and hostility from Athletic Department officials.  She has been accused of “attacking” Georgia Tech through her efforts, and top Athletic Department officials vowed to “get rid” of her. Georgia Tech finally accomplished that goal by manufacturing allegations against her and manipulating an investigation to make it appear that she engaged in unacceptable coaching practices.  That allegation is false and was expressly refuted by officials close to the team and outside experts.  Coach Joseph is tough but fair.  She has worked tirelessly over the past 16 years to become the winningest coach in the history of Georgia Tech women’s basketball.” 

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Banks added, “Coach Joseph will not be silenced. She will continue to fight for equality in women’s athletics and for justice related to the discrimination and retaliation she has suffered at the hands of the Georgia Tech Athletic Department.”

In a statement, Joseph thanked the people associated with the program for their unwavering support and friendship, saying “Georgia Tech has been my home for the past 18 years, and the players and the staff have been my family.

“I have so many great memories of the amazing journey we have been on with this program.  I will be forever grateful for all of the young women who took a chance on Tech and on me. They have forever changed this program and my life,” the former coach said.

Joseph added, “Although this day came sooner than I expected, I am thankful that I had the opportunity to work with such a special team of great people and players.  This is the most talented team we have ever had in women’s basketball at Georgia Tech – built from 3 top-25 recruiting classes in a row and 2 of the past 3 ACC Freshman of the Year recipients.  This young, talented team is poised for an incredible run in 2019, and I am excited to watch them achieve greatness. Thank you to all my current and former athletes, coaches, and fans of the Georgia Tech women’s basketball program.  I am forever grateful for the past 18 years with you.”

Georgia Tech suspended Joseph last month for what it called at the time a “pending personnel matter.”

After the announcement of the suspension, the law firm of Katz, Marshall and Banks charged Georgia Tech was retaliating against Joseph for raising concerns about gender equity issues in the Athletic Department and promised to take whatever steps necessary to defend her reputation.

Joseph coached for 16 seasons at Georgia Tech. She has the most wins in school history and has led the Yellow Jackets to 11 postseason appearances, including seven NCAA tournament berths and ten 20-plus win seasons.

Joseph, 49, was Big Ten player of the year at Purdue in 1992.