New York girls basketball coach fired after pulling player's hair

A New York girls basketball coach lost his job after physically assaulting one of his players. Jim Zullo, the former head coach of Northville High School, pulled Hailey Monroe’s hair after a 43-37 loss.

It wasn’t just any other defeat because they lost to the Class D state championship game to La Fargeville. Due to this horrible act, a statement ratified that Zullo won’t coach in that school district anymore.

Regardless of the result, it’s unacceptable behavior for a coach to pull his player’s hair without warning. That’s why one of Monroe’s teammates confronted the coach after that inexplicable act. Making matters worse, it was the last high school basketball game for the senior guard. Sadly, this incident puts a dark cloud above what’s largely a successful season for the Falcons.

Northville High School girls' basketball coach Jim Zullo pulled player Hailey Monroe's hair after their loss in the New York Class D state championship game.

The school district released a statement that the coach was promptly fired and would never coach in the district again.… pic.twitter.com/NGMuwC9uxq

— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) March 24, 2025

Northville started the state tournament with a dominating 74-21 victory over Eldred last March 15. Five days later, they defeated the Elba Lancers in the New York girls basketball state semifinal, setting a clash versus the Knights.

As Times Union’s Pete Dougherty wrote, Monroe had a superb game, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, and five steals. Likewise, her two free throw conversions with 2:48 left trimmed La Fargeville’s lead to two 39-37. However, those were the last points Northville scored in the game and Monroe fouled out with 55 seconds remaining.

While it was a relatively close game, the Falcons shot a dismal 25 percent from the field and trailed for all but three minutes. That’s why, as Zullo shared with Dougherty, “You have to make some jump shots. That’s what it boils down to.”

The defeat marks the second consecutive runner-up finish for Northville. While they could compete for the New York girls basketball state championship next season, they must do it with Zullo. His coaching stint with the Falcons ends after compiling a 44-7 record over two seasons. Last season, Northville came up short against Hammond Central in the state title game 54-34.