Basketball Coach Fired (Photo Via News10/NFHS Network)
Northville High School is facing intense scrutiny after a controversial incident involving its girls basketball coach. The team had just endured a hard-fought battle in the New York State Class D championship, where emotions ran high. Players were visibly upset following their 43-37 loss to LaFargeville, with some fighting back tears. Amid the post-game tension, an unsettling moment was caught on camera, quickly igniting backlash.
Northville High School fired girls basketball coach Jim Zullo after a viral video showed him pulling a player’s hair. Cameras captured Zullo yanking senior Hailey Monroe’s ponytail after the team’s championship game loss at Hudson Valley Community College. The footage, broadcast by NFHS Network, quickly sparked outrage.
Northville High School fired girls basketball coach Jim Zullo after a viral video showed him pulling a player’s hair. Cameras captured Zullo yanking senior Hailey Monroe’s ponytail after the team’s championship game loss at Hudson Valley Community College. The footage, broadcast by NFHS Network, quickly sparked outrage.
The incident occurred after Northville’s 43-37 defeat to LaFargeville in the New York State Class D championship. Monroe, visibly emotional after fouling out, stood with her teammates when Zullo grabbed her hair, tugging her backward. When she moved away, a teammate confronted Zullo in clear disapproval.
District Takes Swift Action
The incident of pulling the hair (Photo Via News10/NFHS Network)
The Northville Central School District acted quickly, issuing a statement condemning Jim Zullo’s behavior. “We hold our coaches to the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect for our student-athletes,” the district said. “This behavior is completely unacceptable. This individual will no longer be coaching for Northville Central School District.” The district also promised to follow up with affected players and their families.
NEW: High school basketball coach fired after yanking a girl’s ponytail following their loss in the New York Class D state championship game.
Good job on the girl standing next to the victim (number 24?) for standing up to this thug.
The Northville Central School District says… pic.twitter.com/we5XA7k5Ty
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 22, 2025
Jim Zullo, at 81, has a long history in New York high school basketball, with over 500 career wins across multiple schools. He was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and had led Northville to back-to-back Class D state championship appearances. However, his tenure ended abruptly following this incident.
According to reports, Zullo told News10 ABC that Monroe had sworn at him after he instructed her to shake hands with the opposing team, which led to the hair-pulling. That explanation did little to quell the backlash.
Spectators and community members expressed shock over the footage. Alyssa Leroux, who shared the video, said, “My jaw was on the floor. They’re high school girls, for crying out loud.”
With Zullo’s firing, Northville will search for a new head basketball coach as the district reinforces its commitment to maintaining a respectful and supportive athletic environment.
The school administration emphasized that such behavior had no place in high school sports, reiterating their dedication to upholding sportsmanship and ethical coaching. Parents and students alike voiced mixed reactions, with some defending Zullo’s long-standing contributions, while others stressed the importance of accountability. Meanwhile, Monroe’s family has called for further action, insisting that the incident should prompt broader discussions about coach-athlete relationships. As the dust settles, Northville’s basketball program faces a period of transition, hoping to move forward from the controversy. The district has assured the community that the search for a new coach will prioritize leadership that fosters a positive team culture.
