Miami of Ohio women’s basketball coach DeUnna Hendrix resigned Wednesday. Her decision to resign from her comes after text messages showed the coach was having an inappropriate relationship with one of her players, according to a report by The Athletic.
Shortly after the university’s athletic department learned of 180 text messages over an 11-day span, Hendrix was suspended for an alleged inappropriate relationship between her and an unidentified player.
At least 30 of the messages contained words considered «intimate.»
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
A view of the ball going through the rim during a Mid-American Conference women’s basketball game between the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks and the Toledo Rockets on January 25, 2023, at Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The university’s Title IX coordinator launched an investigation into the matter. After the university conducted a review, it was determined «that the matter did not constitute a violation of Title IX or the University’s sexual misconduct protocol,» according to a statement sent to The Athletic.
FORMER LOUISVILLE STAR HAILEY VAN LITH TRANSFERS TO LSU NATIONAL CHAMPION
However, the review showed that the university had strong grounds for going ahead with Hendrix’s termination due to violation of a policy that prohibits staff members from seeking or engaging in a consensual intimate relationship with university students.
Violation of that policy is considered a breach of an employment contract. The school’s statement stipulated that Hendrix was entitled to a due process hearing.
Hendrix reportedly referenced a married couple in one of the text exchanges, saying, «Doing this with you openly would be more than ideal.»
In a text dated April 9, Hendrix wrote: «Today is the day that my girl returns to me», and then points out that «the airport will be free of WBB employees in Miami.»
Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie (left) and High Point head coach DeUnna Hendrix (right) hug before a game on November 16, 2017 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC (Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Rather than go through the hearing process, Hendrix decided to resign. The university accepted his resignation on April 26, and the team was informed of his departure the same day.
«I want to thank the University of Miami and its administration for allowing me to lead this program for the past four years,» Hendrix said in a statement on the university’s athletics website.
«I cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for this prestigious institution and its leadership. I also want to thank the Oxford community for their continued love and support. I look forward to the next phase of my career and continue to support the Red Hawks «.
Nike basketballs in a rack before the Xavier Musketeers-Miami (Ohio) Redhawks game at Cintas Center on November 28, 2018 in Cincinnati. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The university did not officially disclose the reason for Hendrix’s departure.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Hendrix went 35-80 during his four-year tenure at Miami Ohio. Before joining the RedHawks, Hendrix spent seven seasons at High Point University.