Head coach Joanne P. McCallie will remain the head coach following an investigation of the women's basketball program by a Duke human resources professional, the athletic department announced Sunday night.
“Joanne P. McCallie is, and will be, our head women’s basketball coach and we support her," Kevin White, vice president and director of athletics, said in a release. "A three-time ACC Coach of the Year, she is a winning coach who has averaged more than 27 wins per season, won three ACC Championships and led our program to the NCAA Elite Eight four times."
The program investigation was announced April 12 and followed the transfer of star forward Azurá Stevens, which was part of a string of recent departures. A full list can be found here.
The Blue Devils missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1994 last year.
Swish Appeal previously reported that the investigation was for possible mistreatment of players and coaches, citing multiple unnamed sources.
“The information we received from this process, and the subsequent conversations with Duke athletics leadership, afforded me an opportunity to consider my ongoing efforts to be the best possible basketball coach and leader of young women," McCallie said in the release.
McCallie signed a contract extension through the 2018-19 season in April 2013.
The Durham Herald-Sun's Steve Wiseman reported later Sunday night that four-time All-American center Elizabeth Williams—who was on the team from 2011-2015—said she was one of the players interviewed as part of the investigation. A WNBA player, Williams reportedly wrote a letter to administrators last year expressing concerns about the program.
Wiseman reported that Williams' letter was one of many and that concerns about the program also were raised during exit interviews with administrators. Williams reportedly said no mistreatment was physical or criminal in nature but described the program's atmosphere with McCallie at the helm as negative.
According to Wiseman's story, former guard Jenna Frush—who was also on the team from 2011-2015—was also interviewed as part of the investigation.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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