Jim Zullo, an 81-year-old high school girls’ basketball coach from Northville, New York, was fired after a video surfaced showing him violently yanking the ponytail of star player Hailey Monroe following a tough loss.
The incident, captured on camera, depicted an already emotional Monroe, the team’s all-time leading scorer, in tears after fouling out of the game.
The team’s all-time leading scorer was aggressively confronted by Zullo, who berated her and wagged his finger in her face as a teammate tried to intervene.
The Northville Central School District sent a letter to parents informing them of Zullo’s dismissal.
“We hold our coaches to the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect for our student-athletes, and this behavior is completely unacceptable,” they wrote.
“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.”
Northville High School fired girl's basketball coach Jim Zullo for yanking a player's ponytail after a loss.
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) March 22, 2025
How would you respond if this happened to your daughter?https://t.co/CYs4IZKiL8
What Set The Basketball Coach Off To The Point That He Yanked Her Ponytail?
The viral footage has sparked outrage, putting a harsh spotlight on coaching conduct and leaving a blemish on Zullo’s long career as he exits the court in disgrace.
What could have possibly set him off to react in this manner?
The coach told ABC News, “Monroe directed an expletive toward Zullo after he instructed her to shake hands with the opposing team.”
The district says it will continue to investigate the incident and will “be following up with the affected players and their families to provide support and outline the actions we are taking in response to this incident.”
The fact that they fired Zullo before investigating indicates that they simply have a zero-tolerance policy regarding his actions.
Honestly, the coach is probably fortunate that Monroe’s father didn’t didn’t get involved. Can you imagine your daughter on the sidelines, already crying over the game, having her head yanked back by the coach?
Zullo Apologizes
The girl’s basketball coach later apologized for being caught pulling the ponytail of one of his players.
“I deeply regret my behavior following the loss to La Fargeville Friday night in the Class D state championship game,” he said. “I want to offer my sincerest apologies to Hailey and her family, our team, the good folks at Northville Central Schools and our community.”
“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.”
Zullo had a long and storied career coaching both boys and girls basketball. He was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and won a state title with the Shenendahowa boy’s team in 1987.
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