Creighton’s incredible season just hit a big speedbump thanks to head coach Greg McDermott.

Coaches often preach to their players about avoiding self-inflicted mistakes but it sounds like someone should have shared that message with McDermott following his team’s recent loss to Xavier.

Creighton, which is rated No. 14 nationally in the new AP Poll, has suspended McDermott following the use of racially insensitive comments after his team lost to Xavier. Creighton described McDermott’s comments as “deplorable” in a released statement.

The length of McDermott’s suspension is unclear at this time but he will not coach in the team’s final game of the season, that much was made clear by the school.

Here is the statement McDermott issued following his suspension:

“On February 27th, after an emotionally tough loss on the road, I addressed our student-athletes and staff in the postgame locker room and used a terribly inappropriate analogy in making a point about staying together as a team despite the loss. Specifically, I said: ‘Guys, we got to stick together. We need both feet in. I need everybody to stay on the plantation. I can’t have anybody leave the plantation.’

“I immediately recognized my egregious mistake and quickly addressed my use of such insensitive words with my team. I have never used that analogy and it is not indicative of who I am as a person or as a coach. I am deeply sorry. I have apologized to our student-athletes and to our staff, as well as to President [Daniel] Hendrickson and Director of Athletics Bruce Rasmussen.
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“Over the last 72 hours, I have engaged in multiple difficult conversations with student-athletes, staff, parents, and University administrators and I realize the pain that my words have caused. For that, I sincerely apologize. I am committed to ensure that this will never happen again and am using this as a learning experience. While there remains work to be done and trust to earn back, I appreciate our student-athletes’ honesty and will maintain an open dialogue as we grow and learn together.”

Creighton also released a statement following its decision to suspend McDermott:

“Coach McDermott acknowledged the impact of his words and apologized to his student-athletes, their families and his staff. While an apology is a start, and while we believe this was out of character for Coach McDermott, in no way does it diminish the fact that his remark was hurtful to many and has absolutely no place in the Creighton community. We have offered our full and unconditional support to those affected by his words.”

“Coach McDermott acknowledged the impact of his words and apologized to his student-athletes, their families and his staff,” the school said. “While an apology is a start, and while we believe this was out of character for Coach McDermott, in no way does it diminish the fact that his remark was hurtful to many and has absolutely no place in the Creighton community. We have offered our full and unconditional support to those affected by his words.”