Ball State Hires New Coach Amid Racism Claims By Ex-Coach

Tuesday, August 7th 2007, 6:25 pm

By: News On 6

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Ball State hired Lehigh's Billy Taylor on Tuesday to replace former basketball coach Ronny Thompson, who resigned last month amid accusations that he broke NCAA rules and his claims that he faced a hostile racial environment.

Taylor will face rebuilding a Cardinals program that finished 9-22 in Thompson's only season as coach and faces numerous questions from the NCAA, including an allegation that school officials fired the women's volleyball coach for reporting suspected infractions by Thompson and his staff.

Taylor played at Notre Dame during 1991-95 had a 81-69 record during five seasons at Lehigh, including leading the Mountain Hawks to a Patriot League championship and the NCAA tournament in 2004.

Thompson, who is black, resigned July 12, just weeks after school officials said notes slipped under basketball office doors included racial slurs along with references to ``cheaters'' and ``liars.''

Taylor also is black, and his hiring came the same day as another black coach, IUPUI's Ron Hunter, said he withdrew as a candidate for the Ball State job on Tuesday.