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Former Bowling Green head coach apologizes for behavior that led to firing

Chris Jans

AP Photo

AP

Chris Jans’ first season at the helm at Bowling Green was a successful one as he led the Falcons to 21 wins and a spot in the CIT, which was the program’s first postseason appearance since 2012. However his time at the school came to an abrupt end in early April, as the school announced that Jans had been fired for inappropriate behavior after becoming intoxicated at a bar.

A video of the incident that became public shortly after Jans’ firing showed him harassing a female patron at the bar.

Friday afternoon Jans issued a statement on the matter, his first public comments since being relieved of his duties, according to Eric Prisbell of USA Today. Jans apologized for his actions while also thanking Bowling Green for the opportunity to lead their basketball program.

“On March 21st I made a mistake for which I sincerely apologize. After our final loss of the season I went to a bar to be amongst friends, became intoxicated and proceeded to act in a manner which was inappropriate. I have tried to instill in every student I’ve coached the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions, and that is what I am trying to do now.

“I have been completely forthcoming and honest with the Bowling Green State University administration during this process. I immediately made efforts to apologize to those offended that evening including the woman who approached me that night to chastise me for my conduct. Although I have already apologized to my wife, my family, my players and coaches, I want to now publicly apologize to everyone else, including any one in the BGSU community who may have been affected by this matter — I am truly sorry.

“Finally, I want to thank BGSU for giving me the opportunity to be its head basketball coach. I plan to use the future months and years to improve myself as an individual and to show them that their faith in me as a coach, and a person, was not unwarranted.”

While the school continues its search for a new head coach, assistant Mark Downey has served as the interim head coach. Whoever the new head coach is, they’ll have to account for the loss of the team’s top two scorers as Richaun Holmes (14.7 ppg) and Jehvon Clarke (10.7 ppg) were both seniors.