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| Head men's basketball coach
Danny Nee was placed on administrative leave at the U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy following an unspecified incident. Merchant Marine athletics photo |
By Dave McHugh
D3sports.com
Sources tell D3sports.com that coach Danny Nee is no longer on the sidelines for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team, and has not been there since mid-January, following an "incident" which was not detailed.
According to the Academy, the statement involved the "well-being" of a student or students.
David Muchnick, an assistant coach for four seasons at the Academy, has been running the team since the Mariners' Jan. 18 game at Susquehanna.
"The Academy's first priority is the well-being of its students. Immediately after learning of the incident, I placed the individual on administrative leave," said Rear Admiral James A. Helis, the superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. "A full investigation will be conducted to determine appropriate actions. As this is a personnel matter, we can provide no further information."
Nee did not return an email or phone call. He is still listed on the athletic department website. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Muchnick also declined to comment.
The Mariners are 11-11 overall, 5-6 in the conference. They are 5-3 since the coaching change, however.
Nee, who was hired prior to the 2010-11 season, previously was a head coach at Division I schools: Ohio, Nebraska, Robert Morris and Duquesne.
Merchant Marine's next game is Saturday, Feb. 15 at Juniata. The Mariners are in a four-way tie for third in the Landmark Conference, where the top four make the conference tournament.