Columbia University has suspended its women’s basketball coach for three games following a review of her conduct that was triggered by complaints regarding her behavior during practices from previous seasons, the school announced Thursday.
Megan Griffith will be suspended for three games this season as a result of the findings from the review, which was conducted by an outside firm.
She will not be on the sideline for the Nov. 2 game against Davidson, along with tournament games against Rhode Island and Belmont that will take pace in Nashville.
The announcement by the university did not specify exactly what Griffith was alleged to have done, but said the women’s basketball coach had “expressed regret for occasions in which her interactions with the team did not align with expectations.”
“I fully respect the process of the university review and take complete responsibility for everything that happens in the program, including the times my conduct fell short,” Griffith said in a statement. “As the head coach and a former student-athlete at Columbia University, there is nothing more important to me than the success and well-being of my players.”
The review did not require notice to the NCAA of any rules violations and there were no allegations of violations of Columbia’s anti-discrimination policies, Title IX or related policies.
Though Griffith will be suspended for the start of the season, the current group of Columbia Lions said in a statement released to several media outlets that they “fully stand with” their head coach.
“This is not indicative of our experience as part of this program, which has been overwhelmingly positive. We fully stand with and support Coach Griffith,” the players said in their statement. “This program is a family, and we pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive environment for all. We are ready to attack the season.”
Griffith is a Columbia alum and this season marks her 11th leading the women’s basketball program.
She is the winningest coach in program history and owns a 171-99 record during her time there.
Griffith has led the Lions to three regular-season Ivy League titles from 2022-25, the program has had two at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament and last season they won the WBIT.
