Michael Lotief was fired as the head softball coach of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette after spending the last 16 years developing the Rajun' Cajuns program. Lotief was placed on administrative leave approximately two weeks ago. 

Under his guidance, the Rajun' Cajuns won 12 Sun Belt Conference tournament titles, made three Women's College World Series appearances (2003, 2008, 2014), and advanced to five-straight NCAA Super Regionals (2012-2016).

Lotief finishes his career at Louisiana with a 729-174 record.

The university issued this statement regarding Lotief's dismissal:

“Following complaints of students and a staff member of the Louisiana Athletics department, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has terminated head softball coach Michael Lotief, effective immediately.

"Lotief violated University and UL System policies by subjecting student-athletes and coworkers to violent, vulgar language and verbal and physical assault, creating a hostile learning and working environment. 

“Behavior of this nature will not be tolerated,” university president Dr. Joseph Savoie said. “I want to commend the students for coming forward. They exemplified great courage in sharing their stories.”

"A national search for a new head softball coach will begin immediately, according to director of Louisiana athletics Dr. Bryan Maggard.”

In response to the physical assault allegations, Lotief said, "I have never been involved in a physical confrontation in my life. The last three years of my life having the trach to help me breathe, and of course having the tube in my stomach (which Lotief pulled up his shirt and pointed to) it prevents me from physical confrontation.” 

Lotief also addressed the vulgar language and verbal assault accusations stating.

“Language is always done in context,” Lotief said. “When all these young ladies and their families come into this program we talk about when you cross the line that you are able to bring out your most competitive personality. So when you are in church you can’t be your most competitive personality, when you are at the dinner table you can’t be your most competitive personality, when you are on a bus ride you can’t be your most competitive personality. But in between this lines and when you are competing, we give each other permission to be our most competitive personality."

He went on to admit, “I am not an angel and I am not a saint,” Lotief said. “When I get on the field sometimes I have a loose tongue. To take that and make it into something vulgar and hostile that is a reach, that is stretch and that is a lie.”

Rajun Cajun players stood beside Lotief as he addressed the press and Rajun Cajun nation. 

"Proud of not only the success we’ve had on the field, but the character of the women that have played for us and the ones that are still playing," Lotief said. “This whole ending is surreal. It’s surreal how cold-hearted it’s been. It’s surreal with as nonfactual as it has been. I agree with Jack — it is totally untrue.”