Siena’s investigation into Jimmy Patsos “broadened”

LOUDONVILLE — Siena College announced Thursday that their investigation into men’s basketball coach Jimmy Patsos has “broadened,” one day after the Times Union reported that he was under investigation for berating a team manager that was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

The announcement, released just before 7 p.m., reads; “Siena College is conducting an investigation related to it’s men’s basketball program and has retained an independent law firm to assist college officials in the inquiry. The investigation was initiated when the college received an allegation of discriminatory conduct. The scope of the investigation has since broadened. Siena is committed to conducting a fair, thorough and impartial investigation and must do so in confidence to protect the rights of all involved and preserve the integrity of the inquiry. An update will be issued to the college community and the public at the conclusion of the investigation.”

Patsos told the Times Union that he is planning a press conference on Friday. When the Upstate Courier reached out to the college Thursday, a representative from the Siena athletic department said that they were not planning a press conference for Friday. 

Meanwhile, former managers under Patsos took to Twitter on Thursday to voice their support for the coach. 

Bryan McCarthy, who looks to have served as a manager during Patsos’ tenure at Loyola (Maryland) said on Twitter (@Solcey20), “Was a 4 year student manager for Jimmy Patsos. There was not a person outside of my family that cared more about my happiness.” He said in another Tweet, “Coach Patsos truly cared about all of his players and managers off the court more than on. Heart of gold.”

Another, Eddie Flaherty (@eflaherty11), said, “I was a student manager for Jimmy Patsos my first two years of college at Loyola. Remain the best two years of my life and couldn’t find a coach or friend that cares more about the people that work for him. Still remain close to this day.”

The team is coming off a season that they went 8-24 and had a MAAC record of 4-14. Patsos is 77-92 in his five-year tenure at Siena, and is under contract through the 2020-21 season.