Troubling details emerge behind Columbia women basketball coach Megan Griffith's suspension

Key Points:

• Fifteen former Columbia women’s basketball players criticized head coach Megan Griffith’s three-game suspension as a “token disciplinary measure,” demanding “meaningful accountability” for alleged emotional and psychological abuse during her tenure since 2016.
• A complaint filed in September and supported by statements from multiple players accused Griffith of creating a culture of verbal abuse, bullying, and manipulation, including threats over speaking Spanish and degrading language toward athletes.
• Allegations include Griffith removing players from the locker room and practice, forcing them to sit facing a gym corner as punishment, and fostering an environment of fear and emotional manipulation.
• Griffith acknowledged shortcomings and expressed commitment to her players’ well-being, while Columbia University stated the review found no violations of NCAA rules or anti-discrimination policies and emphasized its support for student-athletes.
• Griffith returned to coaching after her suspension during Columbia’s loss to No. 2 Michigan, continuing to receive oversight and mentoring; she remains the program’s winningest coach with a 174-100 record since 2016-17.