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New Mexico Highlands basketball coach Zach Settembre does not know what his future holds. His job status is currently up in the air amid what he described as a “political coup.”
The first-year coach had recently signed a contract extension to lead the program over the next three seasons. That deal is now in doubt.
Settembre isn’t sure he has a job. He’s been told by his HR Department that no termination has been made official while reports of his canning continue to surface online.
What is going on at New Mexico Highlands?
The school announced last Friday that President Neil Woolf had been placed on administrative leave by the Board of Regents. That came as a result of “months of documented concerns.”
“After collective bargaining agreement violations, attempts to fire and privatize essential positions of our university staff, and the gross mismanagement of worker safety issues at the Ivan Hilton Science Building, we are not surprised by the actions of the Board of Regents.”
-Board of Regents statement
His dismissal appeared to stem from a disconnect between administration and faculty. A few days later, the absences mysteriously extended to the provost and men’s basketball coach.
Settembre had the following to say about the decision this week:
“I’m saddened for our current student athletes, including the eight graduating this Saturday (a single-season program record), as well as those currently signed for next season, as they are caught in the middle of what appears to be a political coup at our university.”
He is unsure of his future.
“Late (Tuesday) night, I received multiple calls from colleagues, friends, family, and the families of players asking about termination…
“I still have not heard one word on termination from our athletic director or our new interim president.”
Technically speaking, he remains a member of the athletics staff. Human Resources has assured him that no termination is official, yet. That said, reports of his potential firing have leaked, suggesting someone knows something that’s not being made public by the university.
Activity on the school’s sports website makes the situation even messier.
Zach Settembre signed a new contract.
The three-year extension was announced by the university on April 30th. It is no longer being advertised on the athletics website.
NMHU Athletics
Settembre made $90k in his first season. That would make the extension worth another $270k if the salary remained the same.
News of the extension has been scrubbed. It comes just days after the school released a statement praising Zach Settembre’s efforts.
“Excellence Through Athletics is a pillar of our Destination Highlands vision. Athletics are a visible expression of Highland pride and unity, and strong programs strengthen recruitment, retention, and alumni engagement across the university. Coach Settembre understands that responsibility and has approached it with the kind of steady, values-driven leadership we want defining Highlands athletics. Extending his tenure is a deliberate investment in where this program, and this university, are headed.”
-President Neil Woolf
Settembre went 11-9 in conference play during his first season with the program. He intended to lead the Cowboys for the foreseeable future. That outlook is now at risk.
He was forced to miss two games last year by school administration. One was related to earning too many technical fouls. The other involved an internal review of a matter involving the coach and a player.
“There was a report of possible contact and after a review of the video it was found to not age the case. I held him out during the review out an abundance of caution.”
-Woolf
It is not clear if his absence is linked to that behavior. New Mexico Highlands has not said.
An investigation into unknown issue is underway. He’ll find out if he’s been fired when the probe in complete.