USC head coach Eric Musselman being sued for alleged racist rant, but fans aren't buying the whole story
Chad Baker-Mazara has made bold claims against his former head coach on the Trojans.
Player-coach relationships can be very tricky at times. That's especially true in college sports, as experienced coaches have to deal with very young players. But even the more experienced college players can clash with coaches, with both sides holding their ground.
That appears to be what happened between USC Trojans head coach Eric Musselman and fifth-year senior Chad Baker-Mazara last season. The 6-foot-7 guard was the star addition for Musselman the offseason prior, but Baker-Mazara was dismissed from the team at the beginning of March .
Baker-Mazara was already 26 years old at the time, raising questions about what transpired, especially given he had already played for four different college teams before joining USC . He was also the team's top scorer at the time.
Chad Baker-Mazara claims Eric Musselman told him to go back to the Dominican Republic
As it turns out, Baker-Mazara and Musselman didn't see eye-to-eye at all. In fact, the player has recently filed a lawsuit that claims he was subjected to a racist rant from Musselman during a locker room dispute after the team's February 28 game against Nebraska - per Edward Lewis of the New York Post .
The Trojans were blown out, 82-67, and when the team got back to its dressing room, Baker-Mazara claimed in his lawsuit that Musselman “lost his mind.” Musselman began yelling at the team, and when Baker-Mazara “attempted to address his teammates by saying ‘Hey guys!,’ Coach Musselman erupted at Baker-Mazara, screaming: ‘You shut the f—k up! You are one of the worst teammates anyone can ever have!’,” according to the suit. “Wow Coach, do you need me to leave,” Baker-Mazara allegedly responded, “because I don’t understand this animosity.” Baker-Mazara claimed Musselman then told him, “Yes, leave! Go back to the f—king Dominican Republic! Nobody wants you here!! F—k you!”
While it wouldn't shock anyone that a heated head coach would speak like that to a player, many fans simply aren't buying Baker-Mazara's side of the story .
" He actually was one of the main culprits in the Auburn plane incident, but some bench warmers took the fall instead. This is no shock at all. "
" 0% chance that CBM said “I don’t understand this animosity.” "
" They didn’t even try to make this sound believable: “Wow Coach, do you need me to leave,” Baker-Mazara allegedly responded, “because I don’t understand this animosity.” "
" This dude Baker-Mazara will do anything to avoid getting a real job. "
It's unclear if the lawsuit has any legs, as it's still a developing story.
