The University of Florida fired women's swim coach Mitch Ivey after a university investigation of his relationships with his swimmers.
The investigation began after ESPN reporters showed up on campus three weeks ago to work on a story about Ivey's interaction with former and current athletes.Ivey denied the charges of misconduct after his firing Monday night.
"It's real unfortunate," Ivey told The Gainesville Sun in a story published today. "I was told that putting my arm around a girl and using foul language was deemed reason enough."
The university began its own investigation after ESPN reporters showed up on campus three weeks ago to work on a story for the program "Outside the Lines: Coaching in the `90s." It is set to air Friday.
The program's host, Bob Ley, said the show will contain allegations of sexual misconduct against a "world-class coach who has a history of marrying his athletes and also of having sexual relationships with them."
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said the university is "always proactive any time we're dealing with issues such as ESPN was asking about."
Ivey, who has been married three times, did marry his second wife while she was at Stanford. "She was of legal age. Florida knew all about that when I got the job," Ivey said.
Florida's women's swim team issued a statement Monday backing Ivey.