Georgia Releases Statement Regarding Tom Crean's Job Status: Reports 'Inaccurate' And 'Premature'
Georgia officials released a statement Saturday, calling any report that men's basketball head coach Tom Crean's job is in jeopardy, "inaccurate and "premature."
“There have been various media reports related to UGA Athletics personnel ranging from completely inaccurate to incomplete and premature," Georgia said in a statement Saturday. "The incident in question was reported properly as required by university policies and is under review. We will comment if and when appropriate.”
Multiple outlets reported Friday that Georgia was looking to fire Crean for cause after failing to report a physical altercation between two of his assistants.
Assistant coach Wade Mason and director of player personnel Brian Fish got into an altercation during halftime of Georgia's 84-65 loss to LSU Wednesday, according to Dawgs247. Mason was suspended indefinitely for his role in the altercation.
Rumblings of an issue within the program were evident as of yesterday, when OutKick's Trey Wallace reported that Crean's scheduled media availability Friday was canceled.
You could argue if Georgia was looking for a reason to fire Crean with cause, they could take a look at the Bulldogs' 2021-22 season as evidence. Georgia (6-20) has lost 14 of its last 15 games and is 1-12 in SEC play. The lone victory came at home against Alabama on Jan. 25.
The Bulldogs have bottomed out in Crean's fourth season in charge, now 47-69 during his tenure. Per Dawgs247, Crean's current buyout is $3.2 million.
Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks addressed Crean's job security at a board of directors meeting last week, but didn't provide much insight.
“When I’m in-season with a coach, my focus is on how can I be supportive and how can I help in any way that’s productive?” Brooks said, via the Journal-Constitution. “So, anything I do or say, I want it to be productive for that team and helping those student-athletes have the best season they can have. My energy and focus is on, ‘How can I help?’”
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