High school coach speaks out after being fired for pulling player’s hair

An incident during a high school game highlighted how sometimes this sentiment can turn toxic.

Keep reading to learn more.

On March 21, 2025, Northville High School’s basketball team lost to La Fargeville at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D finals 43-37.

The event was being live-streamed, and a shocking moment was caught on camera. Since then, it has gone viral and confounded many people. Northville High School’s coach, Jim Zullo, was seen pulling the ponytail of player Hailey Monroe.

The coach seemed upset over the loss and went over to Monroe to pull her hair before he began to verbally berate her.

According to reports, Monroe had sworn at the coach after he had told her to shake hands with the opposing team. After the video went viral of Zullo pulling the student’s hair, he was immediately fired.

The school district responded to the incident. “The Northville Central School District is aware of, and deeply disturbed by, the conduct of the Coach of the Girls’ Varsity basketball team during the Class D New York State championship game,” the school said.

“The District is committed to ensuring that this type of behavior has no place within our programs, and we will continue to uphold the values of respect and integrity that our athletes, families and community expect and deserve. This individual will no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District.”

After this, Jim Zullo issued a personal apology for the incident as well. He said, “I deeply regret my behavior following the loss to La Fargeville Friday night in the Class D state championship game.”

“I want to offer my sincerest apologies to Hailey and her family, our team, the good folks at Northville Central Schools and our community,” he began.

“As a coach, under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player, and I am truly sorry. I wish I could have those moments back. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached girls basketball at Northville the past two years, especially last season, which was a difficult time for our family,” he went on.

“I am super proud of every one of these young women and what they accomplished. I know each of them will go on to do great things and I wish them well,” he concluded.

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