University of Massachusetts head football coach Mark Whipple has been suspended by the school one game for using the word ‘rape’ while complaining about the officiating after the Minutemen’s 58-42 loss to Ohio University on Saturday.
Whipple, who has served as an assistant coach for several NFL teams, made the comments during the postgame press conference when he was asked about an un-flagged possible pass interference violation against Ohio.
‘We had a chance there with 16 down and they rape us, and he picks up the flag,’ said Whipple, who was complaining that the official picked the flag off the field, negating any potential penalty against the Bobcats.
Whipple made the comments during the postgame press conference when he was asked about an un-flagged possible pass interference violation against Ohio
Whipple later used the word ‘mugged’ to describe the incident, and said the officiating was some of the worst he had ever seen.
The 61-year-old coach will be replaced by defensive coordinator Ed Pinkham for next week’s game against South Florida.
‘I am deeply sorry for the words I used on Saturday to describe a play in our game,’ Whipple said in a statement. ‘It is unacceptable to make use of the word ‘rape’ in the way I did and I am very sorry for doing so. It is not a term that should ever be used in the manner I did. It represents a lack of responsibility on my part as the leader of this program and a member of this university’s community, and I am disappointed with myself that I made this comparison when commenting after our game.’
UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford also released a statement.
UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford was quick to suspend Whipple for one game
‘On behalf of our department, I deeply apologize for the comments made by head coach Mark Whipple on Saturday after our game at Ohio,’ Bamford. ‘His reference to rape was highly inappropriate, insensitive and inexcusable under any circumstance. Coach Whipple’s comments don’t reflect the values of this institution, our athletics department or football program. Mark is disappointed in himself and understands his serious error in judgment.’
Ohio scored on nine straight possessions on Saturday, setting a single-game record with 664 total offensive yards.
Whipple’s criticism of the officials did not end with his ‘rape’ comment.
‘It’s the same guy that called two holds on us,’ Whipple said, according to The Athens Messenger. ‘The guy absolutely mugged Izzy [UMass receiver Andy Isabella] coming back to the ball, so. I mean we all saw it down that way and we got a little momentum, but it’s hard enough to win on the road. As I said, I understand if it’s the SEC, but we’ve had that crew before. Temple game. It is what it is. As I said to the guys, we’ve got to move forward and I thought they fought.’
Whipple is in his second stint with the Minutemen after previously winning a Division I-AA National Title in Amherst in 1998.