Hartford men’s basketball coach John Gallagher resigns, claims university ‘jeopardized’ player safety

University of Hartford men’s basketball coach John Gallagher abruptly resigned Monday, just one day before the Hawks took on Sacred Heart to open their 2022-23 season. 

In his resignation letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, Gallagher claims the school “not only breached the material terms of my contract but has consistently and repeatedly undermined the Men’s basketball program to the point where player safety and well-being has been jeopardized.”

Gallagher highlighted what he claims the university has done to the men’s basketball program that is shifting from Division I to Division III after this season.

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Hartford Hawks head coach John Gallagher during a game against the Baylor Bears in the first round of the 2021 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium March 19, 2021, in Indianapolis. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

“Less than two years after the team proudly represented the University in the NCAA tournament, the program has experienced an exodus of its best players to other programs, the removal of its scholarships, and has been increasingly stripped of critical resources necessary to protect our Student-Athletes,” Gallagher wrote.  

Gallagher also mentioned a player getting hurt during a preseason game. He believes there would have been a different outcome had a trainer been present, saying the school did not allow the trainer to travel to a game — in this case, to Dartmouth College — for the first time during his tenure. 

“Less than two weeks ago, contrary to the consistent practice during my 13 years at the University, I was informed that the University would not be providing a trainer to travel with the Team to a pre-season game at Dartmouth College,” Gallagher wrote.

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“As I feared, one of our players was injured during the game — an injury that might not have occurred in the first place with trainer preparation. Moreover, the failure to receive immediate treatment from a trainer undoubtedly resulted in a longer and more painful recovery from this player. At least one parent has reached out to express outrage at this situation. This is something that I, as a Coach, cannot tolerate.”

Gallagher also claims that the school didn’t provide him with a “P card,” which is used to purchase student-athlete meals while on the road. With no other arrangements in place, the team has “no means to purchase meals,” he wrote.

Head coach John Gallagher of the Hartford Hawks reacts during a game against the Baylor Bears in the first round of the 2021 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium March 19, 2021, in Indianapolis. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Gallagher’s coaching contract has a clause that prevented him from speaking publicly on the matter. So he felt resigning and bringing light to the situation at the university was necessary. 

“The reality, however, is that the University has effectively already terminated my contract due to its repeated and ongoing failure to adhere to the core commitments it made to me in the contract — commitments that I relied upon in agreeing to serve as Head Coach.”

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Gallagher’s complaints about the program go back to February 2022, when he initially made comments about the university’s practices. On Oct. 26, 2022, his attorneys wrote to the University of Hartford to outline what needed to be done to adhere to NCAA rules as well as what is outlined in his coaching contract. Nothing was done, and Gallagher resigned. 

Gallagher first became head coach of the Hawks during the 2010-11 season. His program made it to the NCAA tournament during the 2020-21 campaign after defeating UMass Lowell to win the America East Championship. The Hawks lost to eventual national champion Baylor in the first round. 

Hartford Hawks head coach John Gallagher during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils Dec. 5, 2018, at Cameron Indoor Stadium. (Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“Over the years, Coach Gal has positively impacted so many lives in the Hartford community,” a former player, who wished to remain anonymous, told Fox News Digital. “He was able to build a family that is now worldwide. He has always given the university and his student-athletes his all. It will be unsettling to not see him out there this season, but I have hopes that the school will continue to represent their student-athletes well, which is exactly what he did in his tenure there.”

The University of Hartford released a statement to Fox News Digital disputing Gallagher’s resignation letter.

“Mr. Gallagher’s resignation letter is full of inaccuracies,” a spokesperson for the University of Hartford said. “The safety of our students is our top priority. For the recent Dartmouth scrimmage he referenced, the university confirmed there would be athletic training on site to assist both UHart and Dartmouth student-athletes. This is an institution with highly qualified medical staff and facilities. Additionally, other members of our staff have always had a university-sponsored credit card for planned meals and expenses.  “We are confident that these baseless claims and attacks will be disproved through the legal process. Mr. Gallagher’s characterization of the university is his own opinion and not based in reality. Our athletics department is leading with positive momentum as we continue our transition to Division III. This fall, the university exceeded our enrollment goals, including a large class of new incoming student-athletes. We have announced plans to add sports, build a new track and field and expand recreation and wellness offerings for our campus community. We are moving forward in the best long-term interest of the University of Hartford and all of our students. 

“We wish Mr. Gallagher well and look forward to announcing interim leadership for our men’s basketball program.”

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Gallagher finishes his Hartford coaching career with a 169-207 record. 

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.