In a disturbing incident that shocked viewers across the country, longtime Northville High School basketball coach Jim Zullo was fired after being caught on video aggressively yanking a female player’s ponytail following a heartbreaking loss in the New York State Class D girls’ championship game.
Northville High School fired girl's basketball coach Jim Zullo for yanking a player's ponytail after a loss.
How would you respond if this happened to your daughter?https://t.co/CYs4IZKiL8
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) March 22, 2025
The footage, which quickly went viral, showed Zullo pulling senior Hailey Monroe by the hair while she was visibly emotional, drawing national outrage and swift disciplinary action from the school district.
The incident occurred after Northville’s 43-37 loss to La Fargeville on Friday night at Hudson Valley Community College. Monroe, the team’s all-time leading scorer, had fouled out of the game and was standing on the sidelines waiting for the medal presentation when Zullo approached her from behind.
Cameras caught the 81-year-old coach yanking Monroe’s ponytail before berating her as she cried. Another teammate, later identified as Zullo’s great-niece, stepped in to protect Monroe, pushing the coach away as the altercation escalated.
Social media erupted with criticism of Zullo’s behavior. Many viewers watching the game on NHS Network captured and shared the footage online, calling for his immediate removal. Some questioned what might have gone on during the season without the presence of cameras.
Zullo, a member of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame and a respected figure in the community, initially defended his actions. He told News10 ABC that Monroe had allegedly cursed at him after he instructed her to shake hands with the opposing team, which reportedly triggered the confrontation. Still, Zullo’s explanation did little to quell the outrage.
The Northville Central School District responded swiftly, issuing a statement the following day condemning the coach’s actions and confirming that he would no longer be coaching in any capacity at the school or within the district.
On Sunday, Zullo released a public apology, expressing deep regret and stating:
“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.”
He also acknowledged the emotional difficulty of the season, having taken the coaching position at his late wife’s urging while she battled cancer.
Despite the apology, the damage to Zullo’s reputation may be irreversible. The viral nature of the incident, combined with the tender age of the athlete involved and the coach’s physical action, has stirred broader conversations about coaching standards, boundaries, and accountability at the youth sports level.
Monroe and her family have not yet released a statement, but support continues to pour in for the young player. The school has promised ongoing support for Monroe and her teammates as they process the incident and move forward.
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