Steve Masiello has been placed on leave by Manhattan as the University of Kentucky reviews his degree status. Manhattan released a statement addressing the situation with its basketball coach on Wednesday.
“Masiello is currently in the process of reviewing his degree status with the University of Kentucky,” the statement read, via Eye on College Basketball. “Manhattan College has placed Masiello on leave while he completes this process with the University.”
Earlier this week, Masiello agreed to a deal to become the next head coach at the University of South Florida. Things hit a snag when it was revealed that USF found a discrepancy while conducting a background check.
According to various reports, USF discovered that Masiello lied on his resume and never actually completed his degree at the University of Kentucky. He spent four seasons at Kentucky as a walk-on basketball player from 1996-2000.
From what Manhattan said in its statement, it would seem like Masiello will not be welcomed back as the team’s coach if it is discovered that he did not receive his degree. At this point, Masiello allegedly lying on his resume is probably a bigger deal than the fact that he may not have graduated.
