During a New York Class D high school girls state championship game on Friday, 81-year-old Hall of Fame coach Jim Zullo was seen angrily grabbing a player's ponytail after a loss.
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That is, video footage captured Northville High School basketball star Hailey Monroe distraught on the sidelines after losing the big game, when all of the sudden from behind Zullo was seen yanking on her hair.
Then fellow senior teammate Ahmya Tompkins stepped in to defend her teammate, "Don't do that," she shouted, while pointing her finger back at coach Zullo.
A coach was fired after pulling a girl’s ponytail following their state title loss. Her friend a real one for stepping in🙏 https://t.co/PG6xntRGXH
— kira 👾 (@kirawontmiss) March 22, 2025
In view of the situation, Zullo claims Monroe had swore at him after telling her to shake hands with the opposing team (La Fargevill).
According to the Hudson Valley Community College Department of Public Safety, Zullo is now facing charges of harassment (second degree) on Monday (per TMZ Sports).
Northville Central School District, addressed this incident in a statement.
"We hold our coaches to the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect for our student-athletes, and this behavior is completely unacceptable."
And Zullo, who was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006, issued an apology.
"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."
In 2023, Zullo came out of retirement and led the team to two runner-up state championship finishes the last two seasons.
Ultimately, now it appears his coaching career may end on bad terms.
NFHS Network
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