UC Berkeley to review head coach's role in alleged sexual harassment case

The University of California, Berkeley is reviewing whether the men's head basketball coach correctly handled sexual harassment accusations against one of the team's assistant coaches.

On Tuesday, Athletic director Mike Williams said the aim of the review is to dispel any doubts about the role of Coach Cuonzo Martin in the case which led to the firing of assistant coach Yann Hufnagel. Director Williams firmly believes that the results will support the university's confidence in Coach Martin, reports ABC News.

Campus policy states that managers and supervisors are required to immediately report any sexual misbehavior complaints, and those who handle it incorrectly may face discipline. According to The Chronicle, the university fired Hufnagel this week after finding out that he had sexually harassed a female reporter. The investigation made by the university suggests that the Hufnagel 'repeatedly' propositioned the unnamed reporter in a way that was hostile, offensive, and intimidating.

The assistant coach denied any harassment and told ESPN that he was "crushed" by the controversial allegations. Mercury News said that Coach Martin knew of the sexual harassment by Hufnagel more than a month prior to reporting it to administrators and initially told Hufnagel to apologize to the reporter. Coach Martin told investigators that he did not act quickly because he was not aware that the allegations involved sexual harassment.

The University of California, Berkeley has faced criticism for what some saw as its slap-on-the-wrist discipline in the three earlier cases, which involve the dean of the law school, a prominent astronomer, and the vice chancellor for research. All three individuals initially were allowed to keep their job, however, they ended up resigning due to pressure. 

The sexual harassment scandal is the latest high-profile case in Berkeley. The university has been accused of treating prominent harassers with light-handed penalties.

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