A girls' high school basketball coach in upstate New York has been fired after cameras caught him yanking a player’s ponytail and appearing to shout at her following a crushing championship loss.
Jim Zullo, a Hall of Fame coach with a decades-long legacy, was dismissed from his role at Northville High School after the team’s 43-37 defeat to La Fargeville in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D finals.
As reported by NBC News, the incident occurred on Friday, March 21, at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy and was caught on camera in shocking footage.
As the emotional post-game moments unfolded, Northville’s star senior Hailey Monroe - who scored 12 points in the loss - stood with her teammates and appeared to be in tears and visibly upset with the defeat.
Footage from the live-streamed game then showed Zullo approaching Monroe from behind, pulling her hair, and berating her.
Monroe had reportedly sworn at Zullo after he told her to shake hands with the opposing team. Another player, Ahmya Tompkins — who local outlets report is the coach’s great-niece — stepped in to intervene.
Watch the disturbing moment unfold below:
The moment quickly went viral, sparking outrage and prompting swift action from both the school district and the police.
“The Northville Central School District is aware of, and deeply disturbed by, the conduct of the Coach of the Girls’ Varsity basketball team during the Class D New York State championship game,” the district said in a statement shared on social media and reported by NBC News.
“The District is committed to ensuring that this type of behavior has no place within our programs, and we will continue to uphold the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families and community expect and deserve. This individual will no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District.”
Zullo has since issued a public apology, admitting his behavior was wrong.
“I deeply regret my behavior following the loss to La Fargeville Friday night in the Class D state championship game,” his statement began, according to NBC affiliate WNYT of Albany.
“I want to offer my sincerest apologies to Hailey and her family, our team, the good folks at Northville Central Schools and our community," he said. "As a coach, under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player, and I am truly sorry.
"I wish I could have those moments back. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached girls basketball at Northville the past two years, especially last season, which was a difficult time for our family.”
Zullo continued: “I am super proud of every one of these young women and what they accomplished. I know each of them will go on to do great things and I wish them well.”
Zullo, who was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, made headlines in 1987 for coaching Shenendehowa High School to a Class A state title. He had been retired until recently, reportedly returning to coaching at the urging of his wife, who passed away last year after a long battle with cancer.
“She was my dad’s biggest supporter and biggest fan,” said his son, Sam Zullo, who also coaches girls basketball in Connecticut. “She was my biggest supporter and biggest fan.”
In an email to NBC News, Northville Central School District Board of Education President Carolyn Wilcox confirmed the matter was now being handled internally.
“This is now a personnel matter,” Wilcox stated. “We are turning our attention to our young athletes to ensure their wellbeing at this very difficult time.”
This marks the second straight year Northville’s team has fallen just short in the state finals, after losing to Hammond in the 2023 championship game. Despite the loss—and the controversy—Zullo’s final message expressed pride in his players and optimism for their futures.