A day after Wagner named a new men’s head basketball coach, Donald Copeland spoke out for the first time since allegations of mistreatment of players became public last November.
Copeland was suspended by Wagner, as revealed by The Post’s Zach Braziller, while the university investigated allegations of verbally abusing players and refusing water breaks during intense practices.
In the statement released on social media on Tuesday, Copeland said that he and the school had “mutually” agreed to part ways.
Wagner head coach Donald Copeland reacts during the second half against Rutgers on Nov. 6, 2024. Noah K. Murray-NY Post “Over the past seven months I have remained professional, focused, and fully cooperative throughout this process,” Copeland said. “I have remained confident to who I am as a person, a leader, and how I’ve been raised in basketball by some of the best coaches in the world.
“As Wagner and I mutually agree to part ways, I look forward to what lies ahead. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished not only on the court, but academically and in how we prepared our players for life beyond basketball.”
On Monday, Wagner named Dwan McMillan the permanent head coach after he stepped in for Copeland in November amid the allegations.
Wagner’s announcement about McMillan noted that he would succeed Copeland, but did not mention what exactly happened to result in McMillan being promoted to his current role.
A statement from Copeland was also included in the announcement about McMillan and vice president for intercollegiate athletics and interim athletic director Walt Hameline expressed appreciation to Copeland for his work with the program.
“Coach Copeland’s contributions have added to the foundation of our program,” Hameline said. “Coach McMillan will build upon a decades-long tradition of winning and student-athlete development.”
Copeland coached at Wagner starting in 2022, and in his second season, he led the program to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
But he had faced multiple complaints that were sent to school administrators, which led to an investigation.
Head Coach Donald Copeland of the Wagner Seahawks reacts during the first half of the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the North Carolina Tar Heels. NCAA Photos via Getty Images Copeland’s behavior led all but two players from the 2024 squad to leave, sources said in November, and one complaint alleged that the coach had inflicted “psychological damage” on players.
The former Wagner coach allegedly gave players minimal water breaks and would tell players that “if you’re thirsty, swallow your spit.”
In one instance, when Copeland allegedly found a player’s hidden Gatorade bottle in the gym, he made all the players do extra running.
“You’re all going to run, until the Gatorade is out of his belly,” Copeland allegedly told them.
During his time leading the Wagner men’s basketball program, the Seahawks went 46-45.
