Sarah Haney — the former UNC rowing coach who resigned on Monday — has denied reports of her role in a reported Title IX investigation into the program.
Shortly after her resignation, the Daily Tar Heel reported that UNC was investigating complaints made against Haney and assistant coach Anthony Brock. Student-athletes alleged that they endured emotional abuse, injury negligence and sexual harassment.
Haney released a statement through the university athletics department on Tuesday:
I want to set the record straight: I am not the subject of any formal investigation by the University related to Title IX or any other matter.
As I stated Monday, I made the choice to resign as head coach of Carolina’s rowing program because I want to prioritize my family and spend more time with my two children. Stepping down was a difficult decision because I love Carolina and our rowing program, but this is the best choice for me. I again want to thank Carolina’s coaches and staff for all of their support, and I look forward to cheering on the Tar Heels as an alum and fan.
A 1998 graduate of UNC, Haney took over as head coach of the rowing program in 2002. This year, the UNC rowing team finished tied for seventh (out of nine teams) in the ACC Championship.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Haney’s profile has been removed from UNC’s athletics staff directory. Brock’s profile remains as an assistant head coach, while Emilie Gross and Thomas Revelle are now labeled as “interim co-head coach.”
In a statement released yesterday, UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham expressed his gratitude towards Haney’s contributions to the university.
“Sarah has played a key role in our rowing program since its inception, and I appreciate her hard work and commitment to Carolina as both a student-athlete and coach,” Cunningham said. “She always will be a member of our Tar Heel family, and I wish her the very best in her future endeavors.”
Cunningham and the UNC athletics department will begin the search for a new coach to lead the program in the spring.
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