Northville head coach Jim Zullo was immediately fired after he yanked one of his players by her ponytail at the high school basketball state championship in New York on Friday. The 81-year-old was informed of the ouster as soon as possible.
It is likely the (well-deserved) end of a legendary career.
Zullo is one of the most accomplished high school basketball coaches in the state of New York. He won more than 500 games during his 31+ years as a head coach. His teams won more than 12 league titles and eight sectional crowns. He and his team fell one game short of another state title on Friday.
Northville High School is located in Northville, New York, approximately 60 miles north of Albany. The Falcons lost to LaFargeville in the Class D title game at Hudson Valley Community College.
As the victors celebrated in front of their bench, Northville senior Hailey Monroe burst into tears. She lined up alongside her teammates for postgame handshakes just a few steps away from Zullo. He suddenly reached out, grabbed her by the ponytail and tugged her back.
Monroe, who was caught off guard by the exchange, turned back toward Zullo with disgust. Her teammate pulled her away from the head coach and made it clear that his hair pull was unacceptable.
— – (@Spicoli_____) March 22, 2025
Credit to the Northville School District, which did not wait to act. It cut ties with Jim Zullo long before the team bus returned to town. There was not even one moment of hesitation.
We hold our coaches to the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship and respect for our student-athletes, and this behavior is completely unacceptable. The district is committed to ensuring that this type of behavior has no place within our programs, and we will continue to uphold the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families and community expect and deserve. This individual will no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District.
— Northville School District
According to Zullo, Monroe addressed him with an expletive after he told her to shake hands with the opponent. LaFargeville head coach Zack Steiner did not see what happened so he cannot say for sure.
Northville has opened an investigation into the incident but the hair pull is inexcusable. Period. Even if Monroe did in fact use profane language, Zullo lost his privilege to continue as the head coach.
We assure the public that this matter is being taken extremely seriously, and the District is actively addressing it. The District will be following up with the affected players and their families to provide support and outline the actions we are taking in response to this incident.
— Northville School District
This was Jim Zullo’s second season with the program. It will be his last. And rightfully so.