Texas Tech suspends head basketball coach Mark Adams for 'inappropriate' exchange with player

Texas Tech has suspended head basketball coach Mark Adams for an “inappropriate verbal exchange” with a player.

The program released a statement, explaining the context to Adams’ sudden suspension.

“Texas Tech University has suspended men’s basketball head coach Mark Adams in relation to the use of an inappropriate, unacceptable, and racially insensitive comment last week,” read the release.

“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. 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.”

Moreover, Jeff Goodman of Stadium reached Adams for comment, who claimed his comments were not racist.

“Adams told Stadium that the comments he made were not racist, and that he was quoting a bible verse when he told one of his players that there is ‘always a master and a servant.’ ‘I was quoting the scripture,” Adams told Stadium,” wrote Goodman. “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.”

According to Texas Tech per Jeff Borzello of ESPN, Adams referenced verses in the Bible that led to his suspension.

“According to the school, Adams referenced Bible verses ‘about workers, teachers, parents, and slaves serving their masters,'” tweeted Borzello.

KCBD in Lubbock was originally first on the case, with Pete Thamel of ESPN following it up with more color.

As you can see, the situation is fluid and something Texas Tech can’t be happy to deal with ahead of the Big 12 Tournament this week. Time will tell, but it’s hard to see it not hanging over their head over the coming days.