UPDATED at 12:00AM on September 25th
Update #1: College Baseball Daily has learned that Joe Sottolano was let go for “sexual misconduct” according to several sources. It did not involve any current Army students.
Original Post
College Baseball Daily has learned that Army has fired Joe Sottolano for a “pattern of behavior” according to a press release from the academy. Sottolano had been coaching at West Point since 1992 becoming the head coach in 2000. He has a career record of 391-286-5 in his 13 years as the head coach.
Army Press Release
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan announced Tuesday that the contract of Army head coach Joe Sottolano has been terminated.
“We have decided to make a change in the leadership of our baseball program, effective immediately,” Corrigan stated. “Due to behavior that does not meet the standards of what we demand of our senior leaders and role models at West Point, we have relieved Joe Sottolano of his duties as head baseball coach.”
Corrigan added that associate head coach Matt Reid will assume responsibilities as interim head coach through the 2014 spring campaign.
“We are very fortunate to have Matt Reid available to lead our baseball program at this challenging time,” Corrigan said. “We have a great deal of faith and confidence in Matt’s ability to serve as an outstanding coach, mentor and role model for our cadet-athletes. Matt has played a large role in the success our team has enjoyed in recent years and we expect to challenge for another Patriot League championship under his guidance this spring.”
Corrigan stated that a national search for Sottolano’s replacement will begin this spring.
I have spoken with previous recruits of Sottolano who stated to me that Sottolano used inappropriate language with them during recruiting calls which ended up making them decide on going to a different college.
This is a very highly regarded job at Army as it comes with some solid benefits and the candidates will be very strong as it is one of the top mid-major jobs in the country.
