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Report: George Washington fires head coach Lonergan

Anthony Gruppuso / USA Today Sports

George Washington's men's basketball program appears to have been shaken to its foundation, as a source told Dan Wolken of USA TODAY Sports that Mike Lonergan was fired as head coach Friday.

The firing wouldn't be a total shock, as Lonergan has been under investigation since July for allegations of verbal and emotional abuse of players. The allegations from both past and present players have resulted in 13 student transfers during his five-year tenure with the team.

One former member of the Colonials' men's basketball staff even went so far as to say players who transferred in the past did so because they hated Lonergan and "couldn't stand another second of him," according to Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post.

One athlete told The Post that Lonergan told him he belonged in a "transgender league," while another said the coach suggested his son would rely on public assistance forever.

Lonergan denied all allegations when interviewed in July, stating, "Those who know me know that I conduct myself and run my program with integrity."

A spokesman stated at the time that the school was "undertaking a Title IX review," but that "some of the reported allegations go beyond the scope of Title IX."

The person with knowledge of the situation requested anonymity because of the absence of an official announcement from the school.

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