By JACOB POLACHECK
Gregg Marshall has resigned as Wichita State head coach amid allegations of physical and verbal abuse, the school announced in a press release Tuesday.
Marshall and the university reportedly reached a buy-out agreement worth $7.75 million to be paid over six years.
“This was a difficult decision, but one I feel was necessary for my family, the university and, most importantly, the student-athletes,” Marshall said. “I remain grateful for my years spent at Wichita State. I wish to thank the coaches, student-athletes, the university, the community, and all of Shocker Nation for their unending dedication, support and loyalty. I am incredibly proud of this men’s basketball program and all it has achieved over the past 14 years and am confident of its continued success.”
Wichita State assistant Isaac Brown takes over as interim head coach and becomes the first black head coach in program history.
Isaac Brown will be Wichita State's first Black head men's basketball coach.
— Taylor Eldridge (@tayloreldridge) November 17, 2020
A native of Pascagoula, Miss., Brown has been an assistant at South Alabama, Arkansas & Arkansas State before his time with WSU. I can tell you he is just about universally loved by former Shockers.
Jeff Goodman of Stadium first reported that Wichita State will part ways with Marshall after he allegedly punched former player Shaq Morris twice during an Oct. 22, 2015 practice and allegedly choked former assistant Kyle Lindsted.
“I love my teammates, the city and Wichita State,” Morris told Stadium. “But if I could go back to that day when he punched me, I would have left.”
After reports last month by both Stadium and The Athletic, Wichita State said it was investigating the matter.
“In response to the allegations put forward in the media, I simply state unequivocally that I have never physically struck a player or colleague,” Marshall said in a statement last month. “Allegations claiming otherwise are false.”
Since taking over in 2007, Marshall, 57, is the winningest coach in WSU history, going 331-121 (.732) and leading the Shockers to eight NCAA tournament appearances.
Marshall also led the Shockers to a Final Four appearance in 2013.
This is the second high-profile coaching change during the lead-up to the new season.
Penn State parted ways with Pat Chambers last month after an internal investigation about the program’s culture and he was replaced by interim head coach Jim Ferry.
This post has been updated.
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