Jim Zullo, was fired after an incident where he pulled a player’s ponytail

A New York high school girls’ basketball coach, Jim Zullo, was fired after an incident where he pulled a player’s ponytail following a loss in the Class D state championship game on Friday, March 21, 2025. The event took place after Northville High School lost to La Fargeville, 43-37, at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Video footage captured Zullo yanking the hair of star player Hailey Monroe, a senior who had scored 12 points in the game and appeared emotional after fouling out. The altercation occurred as the team lined up for the postgame ceremony, and another teammate, reportedly Zullo’s great-niece Ahmya Tompkins, stepped in to intervene.

The Northville Central School District swiftly terminated Zullo’s position, stating they were “deeply disturbed” by his conduct and emphasizing that such behavior was unacceptable. On Sunday, March 23, Zullo issued a public apology, expressing regret for his actions. He acknowledged that it was never acceptable for a coach to put hands on a player, apologized to Hailey Monroe, her family, the team, and the community, and said he wished he could take the moment back. Zullo, an 81-year-old Hall of Fame coach with a long career, had come out of retirement to lead the Northville team, a decision influenced by his late wife during her battle with cancer. Despite the incident, he expressed pride in the team’s achievements and wished them well in the future.