FIU Women’s Basketball Coach Marlin Chinn Suspended For Sexual Misconduct

Florida International University (FIU) announced Tuesday that Women’s Basketball head coach Marlin Chinn has been suspended following an investigation into allegations of his attempts at a sexual relationship with one of his players.

FIU Women’s Basketball Coach Marlin Chinn Suspended For Sexual Misconduct

Team captain Destini Feagin told the Miami Herald’s David Neal that Chinn had been pursuing a sexual relationship with her since the start of the season. Chinn, 45, is currently in his first year as head coach of the Panthers, who have two games remaining in the regular season.

Feagin also stated she reported Chinn to FIU’s administration late last month. She accused her coach of pursuing a sexual relationship with her through inappropriate comments, touching and suggestive text messages.

“I noticed he had a sexual attraction for me when he started saying perverted things to me,” Feagin told Neal. “Commenting on my looks, my body, frame, my breasts, my behind. The way I smile. He would go into detail what his sexual thoughts were.”

The team also says she accepted $600 in cash from Chinn to register for classes, after which she claims Chinn told her, “You will pay me back. In other ways.” Feagin filed an NCAA complaint afterward, claiming she was unaware that she had committed an NCAA violation by doing this.

Feagin also told the Herald that Chinn once told her in his office, “I have sexual fantasies about you.”

FIU athletic director Pete Garcia declined comment when reached by the Herald on Tuesday, saying all statements will be made by the university.