Report: Siena coach under investigation after verbally abusing manager with a mental disorder

Siena College basketball coach Jimmy Patsos is under an internal investigation after reports that “he taunted and verbally abused” a student manager who has a mental disorder, even referring to the student as “the next Unabomber,” according to the Times Union.

Members of the team and the schools Title IX coordinator have been interviewed in recent weeks by an outside attorney hired by the school, per the Times Union. Siena spokesperson Lisa Witkowski confirmed the investigation Wednesday afternoon, however avoided going into detail.

“As you know, college athletic departments regularly perform end-of-season reviews on their sports programs,” Witkowski said in a statement. “Information surfaced during Siena’s review of the men’s basketball program that requires deeper examination.

“This process demands time and must be conducted in confidence. We have an obligation to protect the rights of all involved, and we have a responsibility to ensure our athletic programs are held to the highest standards.”

The Times Union did not identify the student manager, but said that the sophomore filed the formal complaint with the school’s president in February. The student is diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a mental condition that “features a pattern of unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions),” according to the Mayo Clinic.

His complaint also alleges that Patsos called him “insane” and “teased him about his medications and other personal issues, including in front of players and others.”

Patsos just finished his fifth season at Siena, where he has compiled a 69-68 record. Siena finished at the bottom of the Metro Atlantic Athletic conference this season, compiling an 8-24 record overall and a 4-14 conference record.

Patsos could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

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