Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
A lip reader has revealed what high school basketball coach Jim Zullo said after yanking the ponytail of one of his star players and berating her following their team’s loss.
The violent incident, which quickly made the rounds on social media, led to Zullo being fired as head coach of the Northville High School team. The 61-year-old is also facing charges of harassment in the second degree.
Highlights
- High school coach Jim Zullo was fired and now faces harassment charges for pulling a player’s hair after they lost a game
- A clip of the incident, which took place in Troy, New York, sparked outrage on social media
- Lip reader Nicola Hickling said one of the girl’s teammates told the coach to leave her alone, but he responded aggressively
BP Daily - Your Source for Unbiased Reporting
Coach Jim Zullo was caught on camera pulling player Hailey Monroe’s ponytail and berating her after a game
Image credits: Northville Central School District
The attack occurred after Northville lost 43-37 to La Fargeville in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D final in Troy.
Footage shows Hailey Monroe, who had reportedly scored 12 points, standing with her teammates after the game and appearing upset.
Cameras then captured coach Zullo coming from behind and pulling Monroe’s hair before Ahmya Tompkins, one of her teammates, who is also Zullo’s great-niece, intervened in defense of Monroe.
Image credits: Mr_JCE
According toNicola Hickling, the founder of LipReader, Tompkins told the coach: “Leave her. That’s not okay.”
When Zullo paid no attention to her request, she repeated, “No, leave her.”
The coach then turned to the players and leaned toward them, saying, “You shut it.”
One of Monroe’s teammates intervened and confronted the coach
Image credits: Mr_JCE
A complaint for harassment was reportedly made on Sunday (March 23), and “peace officers” met with the coach the following day to issue him an appearance ticket, a written notice that directs a person to appear in court.
Zullo will report to Troy City Court at a later date.
In New York, harassment in the second degree is a violation, not a crime. If found guilty, the coach could face punishment of up to $250 in fines and community service. He could also be sentenced to 15 days in jail.
According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, the teammate said, “Leave her. That’s not okay”
Image credits: Northville Central School District
Speaking withNBC affiliate WNYT, Zullo apologized to the young basketball player and expressed regret for his behavior.
“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.”
Zullo faces harassment charges, which could lead to a fine or up to 15 days in jail
Image credits: Northville Central School District
In a statement, the Northville Central School District condemned Zullo’s actions andannounced he would no longer be coaching at the school district.
“The Northville Central School District is aware of, and deeply disturbed by, the conduct of the Coach of the Girls’ Varsity basketball team during the Class D New York State championship game,” the school district shared on social media.
“The District is committed to ensuring that this type of behavior has no place within our programs, and we will continue to uphold the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families, and community expect and deserve.
“This individual will no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District.”
The coach publicly apologized for his behavior, saying: “Under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player”
Image credits: Mr_JCE
Zullo is a member of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame.According to his profile, he was named Coach of the Year numerous times by the league and the media.
His family said he had come out of retirement to coach at Northville at the urging of his wife so he could stay occupied.
His son, Sam Zullo, who is also a girlsbasketball coach, declined to comment on the incident, saying his focus was on helping his father and their family navigate the situation.
The Northville Central School District said it was “deeply disturbed” by Zullo’s conduct, and he would no longer coach at the district
Image credits: Northville Central School District
The world of high school sports saw another scandal this month when Alaila Everett, a senior track star at I.C. Norcom High School,struck competitor Kaelen Tucker of Brookville High School in the head with a baton, causing a concussion.
Everett maintains it was an accident and claims the video doesn’t accurately reflect what happened.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA! An upstate NY high school girls’ basketball coach has been canned after he yanked a player’s hair following their team’s loss on Friday — an appalling moment was caught on camera. Her teammate had to step in to stand up for her against the aggressive bully. pic.twitter.com/lq1X5NMgAP
— John-Carlos Estrada 🎙️ (@Mr_JCE) March 24, 2025
“My baton got stuck behind her back like this,” she said, gesturing upward, “and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance, and when I pumped my arms again, she got hit.
“I know my intention is that I would never hit somebody on purpose.”
Meanwhile, Tucker insists that her opponent’s actions were intentional. “I still can’t believe it; I’m in shock. I’m still trying to take it all in; I can’t believe it happened,” she said. “Why did you do it, and why haven’t you apologized?”
Netizens slammed the high school coach for yanking the player’s ponytail
Image credits: AthenaRealm
Image credits: TheNostalgicCo
Image credits: WordSm7th
Image credits: BWay124
Image credits: AbiRatchford
Image credits: corgi408
Image credits: BigBrainFB
Image credits: LOUG888
Image credits: pablonjelly
Image credits: SepzenoOfficial
Image credits: DPhelps116
Image credits: uTobian
Image credits: JohnRMetzner
Image credits: sweetwentlive
Image credits: TheGlobal_Index
Image credits: eternaltxts
Image credits: auntieamy90
Image credits: ADCoachG
Image credits: Jonathan_Cage10
Image credits: Glen_NQDC
Image credits: QuinyonClamps
In the scenario where sports and personal life intersect, it can become a delicate balance for athletes and coaches alike. This theme resonates strongly in the instance of Sarunas Jasikevicius’s decisive yet empathetic choice, allowing Augusto Lima to be present for a life-changing family moment. Similarly, a recent incident at Northville High School underscores the importance of maintaining respect and integrity, as well as the significant impact on player-coach relationships.
For further insights, you can explore how family values influenced basketball decisions in high-stakes environments.
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
Anna Drever 8 months ago
As they’re saying in the comments, if this is what he does in public what is he doing where folks can’t see?
Jen Hart 8 months ago
"he had come out of retirement to coach at Northville at the urging of his wife so he could stay occupied" ... sounds like he's a PITA to his wife too 🤔
ToGo 8 months ago
Harassment?? That's a*****t! He proper yanked her head back by her hair. When that happens you don't immediately know who or what it was, what's happening, why it's happening, what's going to happen next because they *have* you and you're panicked. When someone has a grip of your hair they're controlling where your head goes and you generally can't do FA about it. The reason so many women go for the hair when they're fighting. What a vile little man. And as @Anna Drever said, that was what he'd do in public..
Anna Drever 8 months ago
As they’re saying in the comments, if this is what he does in public what is he doing where folks can’t see?
Jen Hart 8 months ago
"he had come out of retirement to coach at Northville at the urging of his wife so he could stay occupied" ... sounds like he's a PITA to his wife too 🤔
ToGo 8 months ago
Harassment?? That's a*****t! He proper yanked her head back by her hair. When that happens you don't immediately know who or what it was, what's happening, why it's happening, what's going to happen next because they *have* you and you're panicked. When someone has a grip of your hair they're controlling where your head goes and you generally can't do FA about it. The reason so many women go for the hair when they're fighting. What a vile little man. And as @Anna Drever said, that was what he'd do in public..
You May Like “Everyone Felt It”: Conspiracy Theorists Go Wild Over Clip Of Soldier During Presidential Speech “Safe, Reliable And Boring”: 43 People Compare What It’s Like To Live In Europe Vs. The US 44 Sustainable Halloween Ideas To Make The Festivities Greener
Gabija Saveiskyte
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Related on Bored Panda
10
11