Shocking news came out of Mt. St. Mary Academy that well liked varsity basketball coach Michael McCarthy would not be returning for a fourth season.
Players were informed of the decision Wednesday via an email from Mount athletic director Sarah Galante.
No formal reason for the move was given in the email, but belief among players and parents is that there is a person, or persons, in the Mount administration that has a personal issue with McCarthy. Possibly regarding his vocal coaching style. Though this nor any other reasoning could be confirmed, the fact that McCarthy did not personally inform the players of his departure clearly suggests that his exit was not his own choice.
Players and parents are reportedly very upset by the news and are throwing full support behind McCarthy.
McCarthy spent one season as the Mount’s JV coach before taking over varsity for the 2014-15 season. He guided the Thunder to the program’s first ever state championship and first Monsignor Martin Athletic Association playoff title. This season’s watershed moment was Mount scoring it’s first ever win over rival Sacred Heart.
Off the court, McCarthy started the league-wide movement of players wearing green and white wrist bands in support of Nardin basketball player Alex Hartnett who lost her father in an auto accident.
McCarthy also organized a Caring for Curtin night to support former Mount player and assistant coach Emily Curtin during her battle against cancer.
WNYAthletics will continue to follow this story as it develops.
Correction: In a previous version of this article it was stated that McCarthy was the JV coach for two seasons and that he started his tenure on the Varsity in 2014-15.