Girls' High School Basketball Coach Who Was Fired for Pulling Player's Ponytail Speaks Out for First Time

The high school basketball coach who was fired after he was caught on video pulling a player's ponytail has spoken out for the first time since the incident.

Jim Zullo, who was seen yanking Northville High star player Hailey Monroe by the ponytail after a championship game on Friday, March 21, issued an apology for his behavior via WNYT after the video went viral.

Zullo, 81, began his statement on Sunday, March 23 by saying he "deeply" regrets his behavior following the loss to La Fargeville. "I want to offer my sincerest apologies to Hailey and her family," he continued, also extending an apology to the entire team and the "good folks at Northville Central Schools."

"As a coach, under no circumstance is it acceptable to put my hands on a player, and I am truly sorry," Zullo said, adding, "I wish I could have those moments back."

He expressed his gratitude "for the opportunity" to have coached the girls basketball team at Northville, adding, "especially last season, which was a difficult time for our family."

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"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," Zullo concluded his statement.

The incident between Zullo and the star player reportedly occurred after Northville lost the game to LaFargeville. Monroe had fouled out of the game, per WRGB Albany. 

The video shows Zullo pulling a visibly upset Monroe's ponytail while she stands on the sidelines with her teammates. After the pull, another player appeared to step in and attempt to get between the coach and star player.

According to WNYT, the player who can be seen stepping in between Monroe and Zullo was Ahmya Tompkins, one of the coach's nieces.

Zullo later claimed in a statement to ABC affiliate News 10 that Monroe directed an expletive at him after he instructed her to shake hands with the opposing team

After footage of Zullo yanking Monroe's hair hit social media, the Northville Central School District said it is "deeply disturbed by the conduct" in an official statement on its website. “This individual will no longer be coaching for the Northville Central School District,” the statement said.