Greg McDermott’s ‘plantation’ controversy, revisited: Timeline of Creighton coach’s 2021 comments

Greg McDermott led Creighton to a stage in the NCAA tournament matched by only one other team in program history — and that was in 1941.

Should the 6-man Bluejays beat 5-man San Diego State in the Elite Eight on Sunday, McDermott and Creighton will both advance to their first Final Four appearances. They would face 9-Seed Florida Atlantic in Houston.

Creighton and McDermott’s deepest tournament run comes just over two years away from controversial comments the manager made to his team after an otherwise insignificant loss in the 2020-21 season. McDermott, who has coached the Bluejays since the 2010-11 season, twice used the word “plantation” in an unwise attempt to mobilize his players.

TSN’s MARCH MADNESS headquarters
Live NCAA Bracket | TV Schedule | prediction tool

His comments, which by themselves would be considered distasteful, were made at a time of heightened racial tensions in the United States. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery last year – the former two at the hands of police – had sparked nationwide protests and demonstrations against systemic racism, racial injustice and police brutality in the country.

The term “plantation” evokes images of the antebellum South, a time when black enslavement was still paramount. For this reason, McDermott – who has repeatedly apologized for his comments – was briefly suspended from the university.

The Sporting News revisits McDermott’s “plantation” comments and sets out a timeline for what followed, including the implications of what he said:

Greg McDermott ‘Plantation’ commentary timeline

February 27, 2021

Creighton loses 77-69 to Xavier, breaking the Bluejays’ quadruple winning streak. After the game, McDermott turns to his team and tries to mobilize his players.

“Guys, we have to stick together,” says McDermott. “We need both feet. I need everyone to stay on the plantation. I can’t get anyone to leave the plantation.”

March 2, 2021

McDermott released a statement apologizing for the comments he made after losing to Xavier and spreading the word about them. His statement, shared via Twitter, includes the full comments he made to his team.

Less than two hours after McDermott’s testimony, Creighton assistant coach and Coaches for Action member Terrence Rancher issues his own statement acknowledging the pain McDermott’s words have caused:

Creighton also makes a statement.

“While an apology is a start, and we believe it was uncharacteristic of Coach McDermott, it in no way diminishes the fact that his remark was offensive to many and has absolutely no place in the Creighton community,” Creighton said. “We have offered our full and unconditional support to those affected by his words.”

March 3, 2021

McDermott coached the Bluejays in a 72-60 loss to No. 10 Villanova. He reveals that he offered to resign over his comments, but his players declined.

“If they had chosen to let me walk away, I would have walked away,” McDermott says in a pregame interview with Bellevue, Neb. radio station KOZN (via the World-Herald). “But they didn’t want that.”

March 4, 2021

Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen announces indefinite suspension of McDermott. In his statement, Rasmussen says there will be a regular-season home final against Butler on March 6th. Assistant Al Huss will serve as interim manager.

McDermott agrees he deserves his suspension, saying “mistakes have consequences.”

March 6, 2021

Creighton wraps up his regular season with a home game against Butler at CHI Health Center. Ahead of the Bluejays’ 93-73 win, five black players who had not previously spoken publicly about McDermott’s comments spoke out against racism in a pre-game video.

As transmitted by the New York Post:

“James Baldwin said that not everything one faces can be changed, but nothing can be changed without facing it,” Christian Bishop said at the beginning.

Shereef Mitchell then said: “For slaves, life on a plantation was fraught with mental, emotional, physical, psychological and sexual abuse. You were owned as property and not as a person. Slaves had no rights and no voice. They have been branded like cattle, driven from their homes and stripped of their culture, language and basic human rights. They worked 18 hours a day, six days a week. Any sign of misconduct such as lack of productivity, failure to follow directions, or resistance would result in beatings or death, and therefore…”

“What Coach Mac said hurt me and my teammates,” said Denzel Mahoney.

Antwaan Jones then said: “People talk about inequalities and equality but don’t really know what it means to be equal. And I feel like this is the beginning of a new conversation in the future. Let’s educate each other and keep growing.”

Damien Jefferson said: “If I were your son, would it matter? Let’s disagree with racism. Let’s start the conversation.”

The video ends in silence as all the Creighton players stand arm in arm on the pitch.

After the game, Marcus Zegarowski – who did not speak in the video – offered unsolicited praise to McDermott while acknowledging the hurt of his comments.

“A lot of people hurt in that dressing room, and I hurt what he said,” says Zegarowski (via the Post). “At the same time, Coach Mac has been a great mentor to me and I know he would take a bullet for me and everyone in that dressing room, including the coaching staff.

“I know he made a really bad mistake in what he said. Only I know everything he did for me as a player but more important as a person. He loves me, he loves everyone in this dressing room. This is my trainer, I love this guy. People make mistakes and that’s my type.”

March 8, 2021

Rasmussen announces McDermott’s reinstatement after one game. He returns to full team activities in time for the team’s Big East and NCAA tournaments.

“Coach McDermott has shown his determination to grow through his prompt apologies, his responsibility for his actions, difficult dialogue with his team and more,” Rasmussen said in a statement. “I believe in his apology, his commitment to grow from it, learn from it and regain the trust of his student-athletes and others affected by his words.

“From our conversations he understood that forgiveness has to be earned and he is willing to work for it. His actions throughout his career demonstrate a person who is committed to his team and community.”

McDermott also makes a statement:

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to all team activities and reconnect with our incredible student-athletes, coaches and staff,” he says in a tweet. “I fully understand and acknowledge that this does not mark the end but rather the beginning of my work in learning, growing and gaining the trust of those I have hurt. I strive to do better.”

March 28, 2021

Creighton’s 2020-21 season ends in the Sweet 16 with an 83-65 loss to 1-seed Gonzaga.

April 1, 2021

Bishop, speaking in the March 8 pregame video, enters the NCAA transfer portal. He averaged 11 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for Creighton’s Sweet 16 team. He eventually signs with Texas.

April 14, 2021

Former Creighton signer TyTy Washington, who ranks as the No. 4 point guard and No. 15 overall player in the 2021 recruit class according to the 247Sports composite rankings, tells The Athletic that McDermott’s racially insensitive comments led to his de-signing from Bluejays.

“It was definitely the controversy,” says Washington. “I really wanted to go to Creighton. It felt like the situation and the plan Coach McDermott had for me was really good. So it was kind of heartbreaking when I found out what he was saying.

“I just felt like the day and age we’re in — a cop just killed another young black man for no reason — that he’s saying something like that, it’s just not right.”

Washington eventually signs with Kentucky.

June 1, 2021

Jones, who also had his say in the Butler pregame video. enter the transfer portal. He averaged 3.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30 games for Creighton in 2020-21. He eventually signs with Louisiana.