Evansville fires Walter McCarty as coach after sexual misconduct investigation
The University of Evansville fired former University of Kentucky men’s basketball star Walter McCarty as its head coach on Tuesday night.
McCarty had been on administrative leave since Dec. 26 pending the outcome of an investigation by a national law firm into reports of alleged sexual misconduct and violations of the university’s Title IX policy.
Evansville announced McCarty’s dismissal in a news release Tuesday night.
Former Butler coach Todd Lickliter was hired late Tuesday to replace McCarty, the university announced. Lickliter signed a multi-year contract and will take over immediately. The Purple Aces play Drake Wednesday night and Lickliter will be on the sideline, the university said.
McCarty, 45, reached his zenith as a head coach when he led the untouted Purple Aces into Rupp Arena on Nov. 12 and upset then-No. 1-ranked Kentucky, 67-64.
McCarty said afterward the win was one of the crowning achievements of his career as a player or a coach.
“This is at the top. To be able to come back home and play against the No. 1 team in the country and to be able to perform the way we did. I don’t know if anything else matches this other than winning a national championship.”
McCarty was 20-25 in one-plus seasons as head coach at Evansville, his first head coaching job after several years as a college and pro assistant. The Purple Aces went 11-21 last season and were 9-4 this season when McCarty was put on leave. Since his exit, Evansville has not won a game and is now 9-10.
Evansville’s statement Tuesday night said additional reports of alleged misconduct by McCarty had surfaced since he was placed on leave.
“Last year, the university had issued warnings to Mr. McCarty regarding inappropriate off-court behavior with members of our campus community,” the statement said. “Mr. McCarty also participated in training concerning acceptable behavior under Title IX.”
Evansville said the Title IX investigation is ongoing but sufficient evidence had come to light to this point to necessitate the termination of McCarty immediately.
“There is no place at UE for any behavior by any university employee or student that jeopardizes the safety and security of others,” the Evansville release said.
McCarty, a native of Evansville, played for Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team before a 10-year NBA career that included time with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers.
Prior to his return to Evansville, McCarty was an assistant coach for the Celtics. He coached previously under Rick Pitino at the University of Louisville.
Lickliter was an assistant to McCarty last season. He went 131-61 in six seasons at Butler, including 29-7 in his final season, 2006-07, when the Bulldogs reached the Sweet 16 for the second time in his tenure and lost to eventual national champion Florida. He was named National Coach of the Year.
Following that season, Lickliter jumped to the Big Ten to coach Iowa, where he had three unsuccessful seasons. He returned as coach at Marian University in 2012, spending three seasons there.
“My family and I are excited to have the opportunity to rejoin the Evansville community,” Lickliter said. “I am humbled by the chance to lead the Purple Aces program and thankful to reunite with this outstanding group of student-athletes. It is a privilege to be a part of a program with a rich history and tradition.”
This story was originally published January 21, 2020 at 7:21 PM.