Why was Michigan’s mens hockey coach Mel Pearson fired?
Coaches are meant to motivate and inspire, not belittle and berate and for that reason the hockey coach no longer has a job.
With a number of accusations leveled against the Wolverines coach and many proving to be true after an official probe, it was perhaps a matter of principle that he be dismissed.
Michigan University fires hockey coach Mel Pearson.
According to an official announcement from Michigan University on Friday, the institution terminated the contract of men’s ice hockey coach Mel Pearson effective immediately. Following an investigation into Pearson’s treatment of players and staff, the university took the decision to fire the coach. It is understood, that Pearson’s contract expired earlier this year, however, he was working as an ‘at-will employee’ throughout the investigation. Upon its conclusion, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced Pearson’s fate following a revision of the probe’s findings.
“It has been determined that Mel Pearson will not return as our ice hockey coach,” Manuel said in a statement. “This decision has been weighed heavily and for some time. We welcomed an independent third-party review into the climate and culture of our program before furthering our assessment in lockstep with campus leadership. ...Our student-athletes having a positive and meaningful experience is of paramount importance, and a clear expectation within our department is that all employees and staff are valued and supported. I deeply appreciate and value the many individuals who came forward throughout this review. Today’s announcement reflects the seriousness with what we’ve heard and the values we hold dear at Michigan.”
What was Mel Pearson accused of?
As per reports, there were a number of allegations which Pearson faced. From telling players to falsify contact-tracing information on covid-19 forms, to embellishing the details of scholarship money that new recruits would receive, Pearson was found to be lacking in professional conduct. There were also accusations of the coach insulting and ridiculing both players and staff, as well as refusing to adequately address accusations of improper treatment of female employees, a concern that was raised at the time by director of hockey operations Rick Bancroft. What’s more is that Pearson was also alleged to have shown former captain and goalie Strauss Mann the door, after the player voiced his opinion about the program’s environment. Ironically, Pearson’s record was at the least credible while in control of the Wolverines. With a record of 99-65-16, he took Michigan to the Frozen Four earlier this year.