Shady CV costs Manhattan coach new job - and maybe old one, too

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Story updated at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday and 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Manhattan College basketball coach Steve Masiello's deal to lead University of South Florida's squad is off, and now Manhattan has placed him on leave.

The 36-year-old had provided falsified information on his resume, saying he graduated from the University of Kentucky — where he played as a walk-on under mentor Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith from 1996-2000 — when that was not in fact the case, according to ESPN.

On Wednesday afternoon, Manhattan's athletics department released a statement saying: "As a result of a background check commissioned by the University of South Florida, Manhattan College has learned there is a question of the validity of head men’s basketball coach Steve Masiello’s undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky. Masiello is currently in the process of reviewing his degree status with the University of Kentucky. Manhattan College has placed Masiello on leave while he completes this process with the University."

Manhattan Director of Athletics Bob Byrnes did not return a message requesting comment as of Wednesday evening.

Masiello, who never resigned from his position at Manhattan, is still listed as the team's head coach on the Jaspers' official athletics website, but his profile no longer calls him "a 2000 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in communications," as it did before the statement was released.

USF also released a statement on Wednesday that read: "During the search for a new men's basketball coach, an agreement in principle was reached by USF and candidate Steve Masiello. The agreement was pending a verification of credentials. Through the verification process it was determined the candidate's credentials could not be substantiated and therefore he did not meet the requirements for the position."

Now the question is: Will Manhattan retain Masiello? And, if so, under what stipulations?

"Manhattan College will issue further comment as soon as this expedited process is complete," the school's statement concludes.

Steve Masiello, Manhattan College, University of South Florida, Chris Mascaro
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