Ball State head coach resigns amid controversy

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins officially announced the resignation of men’s basketball coach Ronny Thompson at a 1 p.m. press conference Friday.\nThe only specific reason given for Thompson’s departure was concerns about a recent NCAA investigation into violations committed by the men’s basketball coaching staff. The university has hired a legal firm – Ice Miller, LLP – to conduct an independent, external investigation into the Ball State’s internal investigation.\n“He indicated some things in his letter, but again his resignation letter would be part of his personnel file and not available to (the media),” Collins said, concerning Thompson’s departure.\nCollins also said he would begin meeting with assistant coaches and student-athletes immediately to begin working through the situation.\nThompson sent a letter of resignation to Ball State President Jo Ann Gora’s office that was hand delivered, and Collins said he received a copy by e-mail Thursday. That day, Thompson also met with players at his house, said junior foward Anthony Newell, where he told them he would not be returning as head coach.\nSix players from last year’s 9-22 team are expected to return this season with only three – Newell, senior guard Peyton Stovall and junior guard Brandon Lampley – with more than a year of Division I experience. Eleven of the 14 players currently expected to play for Ball State were recruited by Thompson.\n“We got a lot of new guys and a lot of young guys, and it’s hard for them to understand that kind of business,” Newell said. “Their reactions to it might not be as good as others. There’s a lot of disappointment and a lot of anger, because when the coach who recruits you leaves that disappointment can easily turn to anger.”\nThe university self-reported two sets of NCAA rules violations in the past year after members of Thompson’s staff regularly attended “open gym” for short periods of time. \nIn August, the NCAA accepted Collins’ proposed punishment for the first set of infractions, which included a letter of reprimand to the coaching staff and a loss of 870 minutes of scheduled practice time. The NCAA has yet to inform Ball State of any penalties stemming from the second set of incidents. \nIn addition, Thompson and his staff had anonymous notes, containing racial slurs and the words “cheater” and “liar” written on them, shoved under their doors in late June. The university announced that it would conduct both a criminal investigation into the notes and a “climate assessment” of the athletic department.\nCollins said that the search for a replacement coach would begin immediately. Collins also said multiple calls and several resumes had been sent to the university since Thursday, when it was revealed Thompson left the program. He declined to give details on any possible candidates.\n“There’s a lot of people interested in this job,” Collins said. “I think we want to bring a leader in here, somebody who can recruit Indiana kids, somebody who can coach, somebody that’s a good teacher. Somebody who understands Ball State University and can fit into our community here.”