Texas Tech University has suspended their head men’s basketball coach, Mark Adams, following a player complaint that he shared a Bible verse with him that was considered racially insensitive by the school. Adams was quoted saying that he was trying to encourage one of the players and was talking to him about being “coachable,” noting that it was a conversation between just himself and the player.
“I said that in the Bible that Jesus talks about how we all have bosses, and we all are servants,” Adams added. “I was quoting the Bible about that.”
Adams explained that it was a private conversation about coaching and being coachable. He further stated that he did not apologize for quoting scripture but merely explained his behavior to the coaches. Adams’ comments, according to the university, were deemed “inappropriate, unacceptable, and racially insensitive.”
The university interpreted Adam’s conversation with the student about everyone having a boss and focused on a slave/master narrative, saying that Adams encouraged the student “to be more receptive to coaching and referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents, and slaves serving their masters.”
Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt made the decision to suspend Adams on Sunday. The school called for Hocutt to write a formal reprimand, Adams’ suspension, and an investigation into Adams’ “interactions with his players and staff.”
Tech has named Corey Williams as the interim head coach.
🚨𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: Corey Williams has been named the interim Head Coach for Texas Tech Basketball, per the University. pic.twitter.com/vb1L6gyvYW
— THE NAŦION 🌵 (@gunsupnation) March 6, 2023
The question remains: Is Texas Tech concerned about the good in Adams, encouraging the player to be teachable and reminding him that everyone has a boss? Or are they more concerned about cultivating a hypersensitive environment where players are encouraged to be offended?
Adams was hired to work as a head coach at Tech in April of 2021. In his first year coaching the men’s basketball team, he secured 27 wins, the most any first-year coach has had in Tech’s basketball history. Under his coaching, Tech made it to the Big 12 Finals and the Sweet 16.
It is worth noting that in February, Texas Tech was in the spotlight after National Association of Scholars (NAS) senior fellow John Sailer published “How ‘Diversity’ Policing Fails Science” in the Wall Street Journal. The article exposed how Texas Tech’s Department of Biological Sciences used diversity statements as a requirement for new candidates applying for faculty positions. After being exposed, Texas Tech quickly announced it had “immediately withdrawn this practice” and related “evaluation rubrics.” The university also declared it would initiate “a review of hiring procedures across all colleges and departments.”
This incident raises the question of how much political correctness should be allowed to infiltrate academic and athletic environments. The Bible has been an essential source of inspiration and guidance for millions of people worldwide for thousands of years. It is a source of comfort and wisdom for many in times of need. However, Texas Tech’s suspension of Coach Adams demonstrates that even the slightest reference to religious texts can be deemed offensive in today’s highly sensitive and politically correct climate.
At the end of the day, it is unclear what Coach Adams meant by his reference to the Bible. However, it is also uncertain whether Texas Tech has overreacted and punished Adams for something that was not racially insensitive. What is clear is that the incident highlights the importance of open-mindedness, freedom of speech, and a balanced approach to sensitive issues, especially in the highly charged world of college sports.
Sources: 100PercentFedUp, The Federalist, Stadium
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