Former Michigan Wolverines assistant and current Detroit Mercy head basketball coach Bacari Alexander was suspended earlier this season after directing a vulgar comment and gesture at a player during a practice, according to that player's father.
Prentis Mercer, the father of 6-foot-7 junior forward Tariiq Jones, is alleging that Alexander allegedly told Jones to "suck his (genitalia), grabbed his balls and stared at him,’’ according to the Detroit Free Press.
Detroit Mercy spokesman Gary Lichtman said the school would decline to comment on the situation.
Alexander coached the team's first game - an exhibition loss to Wayne State - on Nov. 4 before missing the next seven games due to what the school characterized as a "personal matter." The alleged incident occurred on Nov. 6.
In a text message sent to Mercer obtained by the Detroit Free Press, Alexander appears to apologize for the alleged incident.
“Mrs. (Demereal) Mercer, Coach JJ (Jermaine Jackson) did share with me he spoke with you. My intentions for wanting to speak with you is to address the inappropriate exchange I had with your son last week.
“Bottom line is it was wrong and I have never tried to embarrass any player in my 17 year career…Also, I’ve never tried to conceal or avoid accountability for any action that I’ve made…I spoke with Tariiq last week out of respect to him and apologized…and I spoke with my AD and had a meeting with him and Tariiq this morning…There’s no words that I can say that will undo my mistake, but all I’m asking for is an opportunity to continue to rectify and move forward from this over time…Tariiq knows that this won’t affect anything with him basketball wise or his overall experience here at Detroit Mercy as he’s been a great member of the program.
“As a parent I can totally respect your anger with me and I guarantee that won’t happen again with ANY of my players…I will not coach in the coming game(s) moving forward to hold myself accountable for the standards that our AD and Campus Administration has for all of us in the department and university as a whole…Again I’m sincerely (sic) apologize to you and your family as this is not a joking matter no matter what the intentions were.’’
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Mercer expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the university has handled the situation and wants Alexander to be publicly reprimanded.
“He used to approach me, he’d come by and see me and shake my hand and say ‘Hi,’ ’’ Mercer said. “Since this incident, my wife and I have received no calls other than this text. Even the president of the university hasn’t said I’m sorry for (the incident). I’m not a big alumni or a big name. We’re not a rich family. It’s kind of pushing this under the rug as far as I’m concerned.
“Not only do they allow him back, but put him in front of those same kids. My son is uncomfortable and can’t have any respect for this guy. He’s shattered right now from this person that the university has given trust, to mentor, guide and teach. These are 19- and 20-year-olds kids. To stand in front of them and disrespect a child directly….’’
Alexander spent six seasons as an assistant at Michigan before taking the Detroit Mercy job last year, where he went 8-23. The Titans are 4-6 so far this season.
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