EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WTHR) - The University of Evansville has fired head men's basketball coach Walter McCarty over accusations of sexual misconduct.
The university later announced the hiring of former Butler head coach Todd Lickliter to fill the position.
The university announced McCarty's dismissal Tuesday evening. He had been placed on administrative leave December 26 as the university investigated reports of alleged misconduct against the coach.
"Last year, the University had issued warnings to Mr. McCarty regarding inappropriate off-court behavior with members of our campus community. Mr. McCarty also participated in training concerning acceptable behavior under Title IX," the university said in a release.
After McCarty was placed on leave, administrators say they had received additional allegations of misconduct by the coach. The potential violations remain under investigation, but the university said the termination was deemed necessary by facts already uncovered by investigators.
"There is no place at UE for any behavior by any University employee or student that jeopardizes the safety and security of others," the university said.
University President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz wrote a letter to the campus community, asking those on campus to "join me in supporting our students and employees who have come forward to share their experiences and concerns."
"We appreciate the trust they have placed in the University and our Title IX policies, and we reinforce the importance of reporting any sexual or gender-based concerns to the University’s Office of Institutional Equity," he wrote in the letter obtained by WFIE-TV.
McCarty, an Evansville native, was in his second season at the Purple Aces' head coach, a brief tenure highlighted by a 67-64 win at Kentucky, his alma mater, on November 12 of last year. McCarty was an assistant coach with the NBA's Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics and the University of Louisville before taking the Evansville job.
Lickliter, a 1979 graduate of Butler University, coached the Bulldogs from 2001-07 before taking the head coaching job at the University of Iowa. He most recently coached the Marian University men's basketball team, stepping down in 2015 after leading the Knights to a 49-36 record over three seasons. He was an assistant on the Evansville staff in 2018-19.
"My family and I are excited to have the opportunity to rejoin the Evansville community," Lickliter said. "I am humbled by the chance to lead the Purple Aces program and thankful to reunite with this outstanding group of student-athletes. It is a privilege to be a part of a program with a rich history and tradition."
Lickliter was named National Coach of the Year in 2007.
