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Lonergan, George Washington reach settlement

Mike Lonergan

George Washington head coach Mike Lonergan yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against DePaul on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, in Rosemont, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

Mike Lonergan and George Washington have reached a settlement a year after he was fired amid a university investigation into his actions with players.

“Shortly after Mr. Lonergan was terminated he informed the university that he was considering legal action for breach of his employment contract with GW and for defamation,” a statement released Wednesday said, “because his termination was improper and without just cause and media reports about his termination contained factual errors and misinformation.

“GW denies Mr. Lonergan’s allegations, denies that the university or any of its employees acted wrongly or have any liability, and has no comment on the veracity of the media reports whose accuracy Lonergan disputes. Mr. Lonergan dn the university have reached a settlement that will avoid litigation and put this dispute behind them. The terms of the parties’ agreement are confidential.”

Lonergan’s firing in Sept. 2016, came after the school investigated allegations of verbal and emotional abuse toward players. Lonergan coached George Washington for five years, leading them to the NCAA tournament in 2014 and an NIT championship in 2016.

Maurice Joseph led the Colonials to a 20-15 record as the team’s interim coach last year, and signed a five-year contract with the school in March.