Texas Tech suspended men’s basketball coach Mark Adams on Sunday for “racially insensitive” remarks he made to players last week.
Adams “referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents and slaves serving their masters,” according to Texas Tech.
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Athletic director Kirby Hocutt said he learned about the comments on Friday. Adams was allowed to coach Texas Tech’s regular season finale on Saturday against Oklahoma State before the suspension was announced Sunday morning.
In an interview with college basketball insider Jeff Goodman, Adams claimed his comments were not racist and that he never apologized.
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“I said that in the Bible that Jesus talks about how we all have bosses, and we all are servants,” Adams told Goodman. “It was a private conversation about coaching and when you have a job, and being coachable.”
“One of my coaches said it bothered the player,” Adams continued. “I explained to them. I didn’t apologize.”
Adams was also accused of spitting on a player earlier this year, something that he also denied.
Hocutt said his department would conduct a full investigation of Adams’ behavior throughout the season. Texas Tech did not specify the length of Adams’ suspension, as the Red Raiders are scheduled to begin the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday against West Virginia in what could be their last game of the season.
The 2022-23 season was Adams’ second in charge of the Red Raiders. His team finished 16-15 and tied for last place in the Big 12, the nation’s best basketball conference.
Last year, after taking Texas Tech to the Sweet 16 in his first year in charge, Adams was rewarded with a five-year, $15.5 million contract extension. Texas Tech would owe Adams around $7 million if it fired him without cause.
