According to a Freedom of Information Act request sent in by WLUC/Tv6 NMU head football coach Shane Richardson was removed for an incident involving him slapping one of his players in the face repeatedly.

“It was shared that we’ve seen the video and although there’s no audio Shane looked angry, was in the student’s face, and there were three slaps. With enough force that it appears the student’s face was visibly pushed aside,” went an article released by Tv6’s FOIA request. “Shane said that their conversation and what occurred was not in anger. It was more of motivation. Shane stated that would not condone this behavior – of himself or other coaches. He believes it was misinterpreted. He stated he was sorry and sorry that we all had to do this”

The full article, by Tv6 Sports Director Kevin McNulty, can be found here.

In an article for My Up News, written by Alexandria Bournonville and Schyler Perkins, an interview was held with Richardson who thought the slap was taken out of context. The article also shared how the student who was slapped felt that the coaches didn’t need to go through the whole situation.

“The visual perception does not match what the context, the intent, the motive and the relationship was behind that interaction,” said Richardson in the My Up News article.

The My Up News article also brought the student’s statement to Richardson who said, “obviously if the player is saying that he thought it was unfair and he just wants the coaches back — I mean, that’s clearly how I feel.”

The My Up News full article, can be found here.