MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The head gymnastics coach at Central Michigan University has been fired after a report emerged detailing an allegation that he told an athlete to lie about injuries in order to compete.
The campus' student-run news organization, CM Life, says Jerry Reighard's firing comes nearly two months after he was placed on administration leave.
The university delivered Reighard a 121-page investigative report on the allegation that cited "egregious misconduct" by the coach, as well as attempts to "undermine the university's concussion management plan," according to CM Life.
The internal investigation included 24 interviews with team members, medical and athletic training staff and finally Reighard.
CMU says the cause for termination was Reighard create a hostile environment that contradicted the university's medical model. Athletic Director Michael Alford made a statement on the situation, CM Life says. Alford said the investigation could lead to a NCAA violation.
Earlier this season, Alford wrote a letter to Reighard that he was accused of misconduct with a student athlete. A gymnast reported to the athletic department that Reighard told her to report false information to medical staff in order to compete. He was suspended at that time.
Reighard's contract was set to expire April 30, 2019, CM Life detailed. Associated head coach Christine MacDonald finished out the 2019 season.
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