Columbia women’s basketball head coach Megan Griffith has been suspended by the university for the first three games of this season.
The discipline against Griffith, a graduate of Columbia, comes following a review of the program by an outside firm after the university received a complaint about her behavior during practices from past seasons.
In a statement, Columbia said the review did not require notice to the NCAA of any rules violations and did not involve any allegations of violations of the university’s anti-discrimination policies, Title IX or related policies. According to the statement, “Griffith expressed regret for the times in which her interactions with the team did not align with the university’s expectations.”
“I fully respect the
process of the university review and take complete responsibility for everything that happens in the program, including the times my conduct fell short," Griffith said in a statement. “As the head coach and a former student-athlete at Columbia University, there is nothing more important to me than the success and well-being of my players."
Current players for the Columbia Lions released their own statement that was provided to USA TODAY Sports.
“This is not indicative of our experience as part of this program, which has been overwhelmingly positive. We fully stand with and support Coach Griffith,” the players said. “This program is a family, and we pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive environment for all. We are ready to attack the season.”
Griffith, 41, will be suspended for the Lions’ games against Davidson on Nov. 2, Rhode Island on Nov. 6 and Belmont on Nov. 8. These games against three strong mid-major opponents could be crucial to helping the Lions build a resume worthy of at-large consideration for the NCAA Tournament.
It is unclear who will be the interim coach during those games.
Griffith played at Columbia from 2003-2007 and was a two-time All-Ivy League selection. After playing professionally in Europe, she joined the coaching ranks by becoming an assistant for Courtney Banghart at Princeton during a stretch where the Tigers made three NCAA Tournaments.
In 2016, Griffith took the reins at her alma mater and has recently turned Columbia into a consistent mid-major power. Over the past five seasons, the Lions are 125-35 with three regular season Ivy League titles, two at-large NCAA Tournament appearances, a runner-up finish in the WNIT in 2023 and a WBIT championship last season. Columbia also won an NCAA Tournament game in 2025, defeating Washington in the First Four.
The March Madness bids and victory are the first in program history for Columbia.
Griffith will return to the sidelines for a challenging three-game stretch for the Lions when they face Michigan on Nov. 12, Maryland on Nov. 15 and Duke on Nov. 21. Columbia returns a talented roster led by reigning Ivy League Player of the Year Riley Weiss.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Columbia women’s basketball coach suspended after investigation into behavior
