McCarty Out & Lickliter In at Evansville

Editor: The following is part of two press releases from gopurpleaces.com.

Part One – McCarty Fired

(Evansville, IN) – The University of Evansville announced today the dismissal of Walter McCarty as Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball team, effective immediately.

Mr. McCarty was placed on administrative leave on December 26, 2019, as UE initiated an external investigation by a national law firm into reports of alleged sexual misconduct and violations of the University’s Title IX policy.

Since then, the University has received additional reports of alleged misconduct by Mr. McCarty during his tenure at UE. Last year, the University had issued warnings to Mr. McCarty regarding inappropriate off-court behavior with members of our campus community. Mr. McCarty also participated in training concerning acceptable behavior under Title IX.

While the investigation of potential Title IX violations will continue under University policies, UE has decided that, based on the facts uncovered thus far, it is necessary to terminate Mr. McCarty’s employment immediately.

Part Two – Lickliter Hired

The University of Evansville has announced the hiring of former National Coach of the Year Todd Lickliter as head coach of the Purple Aces men’s basketball team.  Lickliter inked a multiyear deal with the university and will assume the position immediately.  He will be on the sideline when the Aces face Drake on Wednesday evening.

“My family and I are excited to have the opportunity to rejoin the Evansville community,” Lickliter said.  “I am humbled by the chance to lead the Purple Aces program and thankful to reunite with this outstanding group of student-athletes.  It is a privilege to be a part of a program with a rich history and tradition.”

Lickliter is familiar with the Evansville program and players after spending the 2018-19 season as an assistant coach.  He took an active role in coaching a young Aces squad last season.  Facing a great deal of turnover while assisting the staff in the implementation of a new system, Lickliter helped guide Evansville to the best record for a first-year staff since 1978.

As the head coach at Butler University from 2001 through 2007, Lickliter brought record-breaking success to the Bulldog program.  In his first season at the helm, he directed the team to a then-school record of 26 victories and its third Horizon League regular season championship in a row.  His squad also reached the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in 53 years.  Lickliter’s success only got better as he led Butler to a pair of Sweet 16 appearance in 2003 and 2007. In 2007, his team fell to eventual National Champion Florida by just eight points.

His top honor came in 2007 as he was named the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) National Coach of the Year.  CollegeHoops.net named him as the High-Major Coach of the Year that same season.