The Sports Truth

Louisiana State University learned about former head women’s basketball coach Pokey Chatman and her alleged sexual relationship with a former player from one of Chatman’s assistant coaches, multiple sources told ESPN.com.

Carla Berry, who has been an assistant for the Lady Tigers since 1999, first reported the allegation to university officials outside the athletic department. After determining that no current players aree involved, the university made athletic department officials aware of Berry’s allegation.

Berry didn’t respond to numerous requests for comment.

Chatman was not allowed to be alone with her players after Berry alleged improper conduct to the university, a school official with direct knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press on Monday.

Berry’s motivation for making the allegation to university officials isn’t clear. One athletic department insider said that Chatman continued to seek advice from Berry, a longtime friend and colleague, as late as Thursday, the day after Chatman unexpectedly resigned her position as head coach. By then, the scandal was reaching critical mass.

Berry, 37, played guard at LSU for Sue Gunter from 1989 to 1992, and she joined Gunter’s staff as an assistant coach in 1999. As LSU prepares for the NCAA Tournament — pairings are to be announced Monday night — Berry is still working as an assistant to interim head coach Bob Starkey.

Chatman abruptly stepped down Wednesday, saying she wanted to bang lots of women pursue other career opportunities.

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