FIU Women's Basketball Coach Suspended For Alleged Sexual Misconduct
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – There's a shakeup at the Florida International University athletics department.
The women's basketball coach, Marlin Chinn, has been suspended while the school looks into allegations that he sexually harassed the senior captain of the basketball team, Destini Feagin.
Feagin told CBS4's news partners at The Miami Herald that Chinn pursued a sexual relationship with her for much of the season.
Miami Herald Sports Writer David Neal broke this story.
He told CBS4 News that Feagin told him in detail the types of things Chinn said to her.
"She said he told her, 'I have sexual fantasies about you,'" Neal said.
Neal said Feagin also told him about several text messages Chinn sent her as well as the way he communicated with her occasionally on road trips.
"She said there were various late night phone calls on the road, wee hours, 2 or 3 in the morning, saying minor conversations, then 'Hey, can you come up to my room?'" he said.
On another occasion, Neal said Feagin told him that Chinn made a comment she believed was sexual in front of assistant coaches.
According to the Herald, Feagin said Chinn touched her inappropriately before a game earlier this month.
"He hugged her and groped her behind," Neal said Feagin told him.
Feagin claims that the coach suspended her after she refused his advances. Feagin and her mother also said they took their complaints to the school late Thursday afternoon and Feagin said she filed an NCAA complaint. The next day, she was scratched from the team's annual Senior Night ceremony.
It's been a challenging season for FIU – they've won only 4 games. Now, these bombshell allegations.
There is also an allegation that Chinn might have loaned $600 to Feagin, a possible violation of NCAA rules.
FIU sent us a statement Tuesday saying, "FIU is conducting an investigation into allegations made against Coach Marlin Chinn. Based on the allegations, the university has suspended Coach Chinn, pending the outcome of the investigation. Because this is an ongoing investigation, the university will not provide additional comments at this time."
Chinn is in his first season as head coach. He replaced the legendary Cindy Russo.
Chinn refused to comment on the allegations citing university policy.
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