Openly Sexy Nude Gay lacrosse coach loses job

Team says sexuality no factor in decision.


The openly gay coach of the University of Missouri menÕs lacrosse team has been told his contract will not be renewed after nine seasons on the job.

Kyle Hawkins, 36, recently completed his first season as head coach after publicly disclosing his homosexuality. The team finished the year with a 6-9 record, HawkinsÕ first losing season at the school.

Team leaders said Hawkins was dismissed because of his job performance, not his sexual orientation. As a club sport, the Missouri lacrosse team largely controls its budget and hiring decisions.

"We, as a team, did not feel Coach Hawkins was the best man for the job," team president Andy Mackley said. "Sport is all we care about, not the sexuality of our coach, players and those associated with our team."

Mackley, a junior from Columbia who briefly played for Hawkins in high school, called the decision "strictly business" and hailed Hawkins as a "pioneer" for his decision to be known as one of the few openly gay coaches in college sports.

"His personal life had zero to do with our team," Mackley said.