Under Cloud of Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Pokey Chatman Resigns

Pokey Chatman, the head coach of the Louisiana State University women's basketball team, announced her resignation on Wednesday under a cloud of mystery. On Thursday, it was revealed, according to ESPN.com, that the coach quit when the university became aware of an alleged inappropriate relationship between the coach and one of her former players.

According to the New York Times, the suspected misconduct has not been identified, although a school official said it did not involve striking a player. According to ESPN.com, the misconduct may have been an inappropriate sexual relationship with a former player.

On Wednesday, Chatman, who has been at LSU for almost two centuries, first as a point guard and then as an assistant, and now head coach, announced she would be coaching the Lady Tigers in the NCAA tournament and then retiring. After the allegations became public today, she announced she would be leaving the team immediately.

"My resignation yesterday has prompted speculation and rumors that far exceeded my expectations," she said in a statement released Thursday. "It is clear that my presence would be a great distraction during the NCAA Tournament." She felt it was in the best interest of the team to leave before the tournament started. "I want the players and the staff to have the best chance to maximize the opportunities we've earned," she said.

Skip Bertman, LSU athletic director, released his own statement. "I respect and appreciate Pokey's decision to step away from the program now in the best interests of the team."

Bertman, in an interview with the New Orleans Times Picayune, said that no formal investigation into the allegations had taken place, although it was possible that some informal checking up had taken place. The Times Picayune broke the story of the allegations on Thursday on its website. Referring to the now former head coach, Bertman said, "The girl did what she did and LSU had no control over that."

LSU Assistant Coach Bob Starkey, will coach the team during the upcoming NCAA tournament, according to the university.