| Marc Mitchell, who led FDU-Florham to a national championship in 2014, has missed the Devils' last two games due to suspension by the university. File photo by Steve Frommell, d3photography.com |
FDU-Florham women’s basketball coach Marc Mitchell, who led the Devils to a national championship and undefeated season in 2014, has been suspended by the university pending the completion of its investigation into allegations of misconduct.
The university confirmed the suspension and investigation without further comment.
- FDU-Florham team page
- March 2014: Florham caps undefeated season
- March 2014: Fired up Mitchell fanned Devils' flames
Mitchell last coached FDU-Florham on Jan. 21, 2017 when the Devils beat Delaware Valley 69-56 at home.
Sources indicate Mitchell expressed displeasure via email with MAC Freedom coaches and players at the end of last season when the conference named Delaware Valley’s Eireann Anastasi Player of the Year over FDU-Florham forward Shalette Brown. The sources would not comment on the record because they are not authorized to speak about this topic.
Anastasi, who was a third-team All-American and Atlantic Region Co-Player of the Year, led the conference in scoring (19.9 points per game), free throw percentage (.834) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8) and finished second in assists and steals. Brown, who was named first-team all-conference, first-team All-Region and fourth team All-American, led the MAC Freedom in rebounds (15.7 per game) and was second in scoring (18.1 ppg).
Before Florham’s game with Delaware Valley, the last before Mitchell was suspended, the Devils wore black warmups with Brown’s number three printed on them. FDU-Florham won the game 69-56 and the box score indicates there were no technical fouls called on players or coaches from either team.
MAC Freedom Conference officials confirmed that the investigation is being handled by the university. In response to questions on the conference's role in the process, Executive Director Ken Andrews wrote, "We would only intervene if we feel the institution's position is inadequate. In that case, we would encourage them to reconsider their position. In my time, the conference has never superceded institutional action."
Assistant coach Jessica Cavaco will lead the Devils' staff during the suspension. FDU-Florham (16-3, 7-1), which is tied for first in the MAC Freedom, defeated Manhattanville 80-44 in the first game Mitchell missed and then lost at Misericordia 86-67 on Saturday.
Editor's note: Mitchell was reinstated later in the season. The University did not respond to a request for comment on the investigation and reason for the suspension following Mitchell's reinstatement.