Wichita State launches misconduct inquiry into basketball coach Gregg Marshall amid claims he punched a player twice in 2015 and choked an assistant the following season

Wichita State men's basketball coach Gregg Marshall has confirmed that the school is conducting an internal investigation into allegations that he mistreated players, including claims that he punched an individual player twice and choked an assistant coach. 

'I'm aware the university conducted interviews and I fully participated in the process. I look forward to having it wrapped up as I continue to focus my energy on our team,' Marshall, the school's all-time winningest coach, wrote in a text message to The Athletic, a subscription-based sports website.

Stadium, a multi-platform sports network, said the inquiry began after the Kansas university learned it was conducting an investigation in which it interviewed 36 players and former coaches.

Wichita State men's basketball coach Gregg Marshall (center right) has confirmed that the school is conducting an internal investigation into allegations that he mistreated players, including allegations that he punched an individual player twice and choked an assistant 

Former Wichita State forward Shaq Morris told Stadium he was punched twice by Marshall during an October 2015 practice, and former guard Ty Taylor said he saw it happen. Three eye witnesses told Stadium that they saw Marshall choke choke assistant coach Kyle Lindsted during the 2016-17 season. Lindsted, who is now an assistant at Minnesota, declined to comment on the accusation to Stadium

Three eye witnesses told Stadium that they saw Marshall choke choke assistant coach Kyle Lindsted during the 2016-17 season. Lindsted, who is now an assistant at Minnesota, declined to comment on the accusation to Stadium. 

Former Wichita State forward Shaq Morris told Stadium he was punched twice by Marshall during an October 2015 practice, and former guard Ty Taylor said he saw it happen.

'He's a maniac, a bully,' a former assistant told Stadium. 'He disrespects people, brings up personal stuff, family, girlfriends.' 

They were the only players who agreed to be identified; the others said they feared retribution and community backlash because Marshall's winning record has made him popular, Stadium reported.

'I love my teammates, the city and Wichita State,' said Morris, who played at Wichita State from 2014-18. 'But if I could go back to that day when he punched me, I would have left.'

Taylor transferred to the University of North Carolina Wilmington after the 2015-16 season.

Team spokesman Bryan Holmgren didn't immediately return a phone message or email from The Associated Press seeking comment. Marshall (pictured in 2017) also didn't immediately respond to an email from the AP to his assistant or a phone message seeking comment

If only we could have seen this coming from Gregg Marshall.... pic.twitter.com/JRLcsX25nJ

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 9, 2020

If only we could have seen this coming from Gregg Marshall.... pic.twitter.com/JRLcsX25nJ

Last spring, six scholarship Shockers players plus a walk-on also transferred. In addition, 2020 commit Ja'Dun Michael asked out of his letter of intent, according to The Athletic.

'It wasn't just players -- the academic people, the marketing, everybody,' a former player said to The Athletic. 'If you had to associate with Wichita State basketball, you got caught in the crossfire. I lost respect for him because I saw the way he treated my teammates and other people.' 

Last spring, six scholarship Wichita State Shockers players plus a walk-on also transferred. In addition, 2020 commit Ja'Dun Michael asked out of his letter of intent, according to The Athletic

Team spokesman Bryan Holmgren didn't immediately return a phone message or email from The Associated Press seeking comment. Marshall also didn't immediately respond to an email from the AP to his assistant or a phone message seeking comment.

Stadium reported that the St. Louis law firm Tueth Keeney was hired to handle the inquiry. Michelle Basi, an attorney at the firm, didn't immediately return a phone message from the AP.

After the accusations against Marshall were made public, Kentucky sports radio personality and author Matt Jones posted video from a 2016 exhibition between the Shockers and McGill, a college in Montreal, in which the Wichita State coach needed to be restrained by players as he pursued officials for several minutes. Marshall was ejected, later admitted he 'perhaps' went too far. 

'I wasn't going to do anything physical,' he told reporters, 'but I wanted to make sure they understood what I felt was happening was incorrect and wrong.' 

Marshall, 57, is entering his 14th season with the Shockers after posting a 524-204 record in his career and a 331-121 mark at Wichita State, a mid-major school be guided to the NCAA Final Four in 2013. 

He's currently under contract at $3.5 million a year through the 2021-22 season.   

Former Shockers guard Ty Taylor (pictured left) said he saw Marshall hit Shaq Morris twice in 2015. Morris and Taylor were the only players who agreed to be identified; the others said they feared retribution and community backlash because Marshall's winning record has made him popular, Stadium reported