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George Washington parted ways with head basketball coach Mike Lonergan on Saturday. The school's provost Forrest Maltzman released a statement (via Adam Kilgore and Gene Wang of the Washington Post) to address the situation:

The university concluded that Coach Lonergan had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the university's values.

The university has created and is committed to maintaining a community where all students, faculty and staff feel welcome and comfortable. We value inclusion and diversity and will not tolerate conduct that runs counter to those principles.

Dan Wolken of USA Today first reported the news Friday evening, with ESPN.com's Andy Katz confirming the report.

Prior to the announcement of Lonergan's firing Chick Hernandez of CSN Mid-Atlantic reported Saturday that the school was attempting to buy out his contract. Hernandez added the process would not be an easy one, as lawyers from both sides were involved.

Lawyers will once again be involved, as Lonergan's representatives told Gene Wang of the Washington Post that Lonergan is filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against George Washington.

Lonergan is coming off a 28-10 season marred by accusations of verbal and emotional abuse. According to Kilgore, one player alleged that Lonergan was "denigrating players and making repeated graphic remarks about the school's athletic director."

"According to multiple players, Lonergan's critiques crossed the line from constructive to mean-spirited," Kilgore wrote in July. "He told one player his son would always be on food stamps. He told another, in front of the team, he should transfer to a 'transgender league,' multiple players said."

Kilgore also reported that a source close to a former Colonials player said "he 'went through hell' playing for Lonergan because of constant personal comments and critiques. One former player said he attended therapy and considered quitting basketball because of Lonergan’s language and actions toward him."

After the allegations surfaced, George Washington announced it had hired outside counsel to conduct an investigation regarding Lonergan's actions.

"Some of the reported allegations go beyond the scope of Title IX, and the university is bringing in outside counsel to assist in its investigation," the school said in a statement, per the Washington Post's Des Bieler. "The university expects full cooperation and will not tolerate retaliation during the course of the investigation."

After the Colonials went 24-9 during the 2013-14 season and made it back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006-07, George Washington rewarded Lonergan with a contract extension through 2020-21. The team then went 22-13 the following year before hitting a new high last season.

During the 2015-16 campaign, George Washington ranked as high as No. 20 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll before beating Valparaiso in the National Invitation Tournament final.

With Lonergan out of the picture, the Colonials will need to tab a new head coach with their season opener against Maryland Eastern Shore looming on Nov. 11.

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