Longwood suspends head coach Kristin Caruso for an indefinite period of time

For the second time this year, Longwood University has suspended Kristin Caruso, the head coach of the women’s basketball team. The statement from the school’s athletic department:

Longwood University Director of Athletics Troy Austin has announced the indefinite suspension of women’s basketball head coach Kristin Caruso pending resolution of a personnel matter.  Austin indicated that fourth-year assistant coach Gayle Coats will lead the Lancers in tonight’s home game against James Madison University.  Caruso is in her fourth year at Longwood during 2010-11, beginning employment June 4, 2007.  Prior to Longwood, she served as the associate head coach at the University of Hartford for five seasons (2002-07)

In January, the school placed Caruso on leave for six days and investigated “undisclosed personnel issues.” According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, these issues included her interaction with subordinates and players. At least five players have left the program after the 2008-09 season as well as two assistant coaches.

Austin said the review resulted in the school taking no action “beyond what has already taken place with the indefinite leave of absence.” The leave was mandated “because we wanted to make sure that all the facts had been identified. Once all the facts were identified, [Caruso] was reinstated.”