CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Two days after a report on allegations of mistreatment and racism in the University of Illinois women's basketball program leveled that a former assistant coach treated players harshly, head coach Matt Bollant said he wants to change the tone.
After the season ended in March, seven former players accused Bollant and ex-assistant coach Mike Divilbiss of mistreating them and using race to try to drive unwanted players off the team, and filed a lawsuit last month. Wednesday was the first time since that Bollant or any of his coaches has spoken to reporters.
Current assistant coach Tianna Kirkland, who is black, said none of the women ever mentioned concerns to her and that she never saw any racist behavior from Bollant or Divilbiss.