Northville, October 23, 2025
News Summary
Jim Zullo, a renowned girls basketball coach, was dismissed from his position after an incident where he yanked the ponytail of player Hailey Monroe following a championship loss. The Northville Central School District condemned his actions as unacceptable, leading to a firmer stance on coach behavior to ensure student safety. Zullo, who has a significant coaching history including Hall of Fame recognition, expressed regret for his actions. The incident raises concerns about the pressures athletes face and the responsibilities of coaches.
Northville, New York — In a shocking turn of events, Hall of Fame girls basketball coach Jim Zullo has been fired after yanking the ponytail of his star player, Hailey Monroe, following a championship loss. The incident took place after Northville High School lost to La Fargeville, 43-37, in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D final.
Footage captured during the emotional aftermath of the game showed Zullo pulling Monroe’s hair and appearing to berate her. The situation escalated when Monroe’s teammate, Ahmya Tompkins, who is also Zullo’s great-niece, intervened to protect her fellow player during the incident.
The Northville Central School District expressed deep disturbance regarding Zullo’s actions, labeling his behavior as unacceptable and stating it has no place in their programs. Following the incident, the district announced that Zullo would no longer serve as the coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team.
In a public apology, Zullo expressed regret for his actions, saying he wishes he could take them back and acknowledging the inappropriateness of physically confronting a player. He is a respected figure in the sport, being a part of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame and leading Shenendehowa High School to a state title in 1987.
The school’s board of education members declined to comment further, citing the matter as personnel-related. The incident has also impacted the well-being of the student-athletes involved, according to the school district’s statement. The past two seasons have been particularly challenging for Northville High School, as they have now experienced consecutive losses in the state final, having also been edged out last year by Hammond in a title game.
Repercussions for the School District
Following the incident, the Northville Central School District has taken a firm stance on inappropriate behavior by coaches. With concerns over student safety and well-being, the district reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a supportive and safe environment for all student-athletes.
Background on Jim Zullo
Jim Zullo has had a storied career in coaching, which includes being inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame. He is known for his strong leadership qualities and a history of leading teams to success. Despite his history of accolades, this recent incident has drastically altered his reputation and led to his immediate dismissal from the team he has coached for many years.
The Aftermath and Community Response
The incident has sparked discussions within the Northville community about the conduct expected of coaches and the impact of emotional decisions in sports environments. Many are reflecting on the pressures athletes face during high-stakes competitions and the responsibilities that coaches carry in mentoring young athletes.
Looking Forward
As the Northville Central School District moves forward, it remains to be seen how they will address future coaching appointments and ensure the emotional safety of their student-athletes. With the school year continuing, the community hopes to regroup and rebuild as they think about what’s next for the girls’ basketball program.
FAQ
- What happened to Jim Zullo?
- Jim Zullo was fired for yanking the ponytail of his star player, Hailey Monroe, after a championship loss.
- What incident triggered Zullo’s dismissal?
- The incident occurred after Northville High School lost to La Fargeville, 43-37, in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D final.
- What did the school district say about Zullo’s actions?
- The Northville Central School District expressed deep disturbance regarding Zullo’s conduct, affirming that such behavior is unacceptable and has no place in their programs.
- Who intervened during the incident?
- Teammate Ahmya Tompkins, who is also Zullo’s great-niece, intervened during the incident.
- What is Jim Zullo’s coaching background?
- Jim Zullo is part of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame and previously led Shenendehowa High School to a state title in 1987.
- How has the incident affected the student-athletes?
- The incident has impacted the well-being of the student-athletes involved, according to the school district’s statement.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Jim Zullo yanked Hailey Monroe’s ponytail after a loss. |
| Opponent | La Fargeville |
| Score | Northville lost 43-37 |
| Intervention | Teammate Ahmya Tompkins intervened. |
| Response from School District | Condemned Zullo’s actions as unacceptable. |
| Coaching Background | Hall of Fame coach, previously led Shenendehowa High School to a state title in 1987. |
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Additional Resources
- Livingston Daily: Northville vs Brighton Football Highlights
- Wikipedia: Northville, New York
- USA Today HSS: Novi vs Northville Girls Soccer
- Google Search: Northville High School basketball
- Hometown Life: Northville Volleyball Championship
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
