per ESPN: Mike Bobo offended by allegations of abuse, racial insensitivity at Colorado State 6:06 PM ET Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- First-year South Carolina football assistant coach Mike Bobo said he was offended by allegations that anyone on his former Colorado State staff or team says they were abused or treated with racial insensitivity.
"I know who I am and how I treat people," said Bobo, the Gamecocks' new offensive coordinator.
Bobo had been Colorado State's head coach the past five years before getting hired at South Carolina in December.
Earlier this month, Colorado State administrators paused football workouts after an ongoing investigation launched by the president of the university into the program's handling of COVID-19 cases uncovered allegations of racism and verbal abuse toward athletes.
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Colorado State athletic director Joe Parker said he asked president Joyce McConnell to expand the investigation she announced on Aug. 5 to include a comprehensive review of the athletic department and football program.
"We learned of some extremely troubling allegations of racism and verbal abuse from CSU's athletic administration generally and in the football program specifically," Parker said.
Bobo disputes those allegations.
"I take offense that anybody that was a member of my team or coaching staff or support staff said that they were treated racially insensitive or there might have been abuse," Bobo said. "One thing I can say is we were a family there. We loved each other and I can honestly say I treated people like I would like to be treated, like I would want them to treat my children."
Colorado State spokesman Mike Hooker said the investigation is continuing and not likely to be completed until September. It is being handled by the same attorneys who investigated Iowa earlier this year when that football team's culture was questioned by players and others.
Bobo would not say if he had spoken with anyone connected to the Colorado State investigation.
"I've been transparent with people who have asked me," he said. "I've got nothing to hide."
Bobo was let go after last season, going 28-35 in five seasons with the Rams. He received a $1.825 million buyout.
South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner began an inquiry soon after Colorado State's investigation. Bobo said he was open and honest when questioned by Tanner and other department administrators.
Soon after Bobo's name came up at Colorado State, he received support from many past associates and former players, including his former coach at Georgia in Mike Richt.
Richt said on social media that during Bobo's 14 seasons on the Bulldogs' staff, "I cannot remember receiving one complaint from a parent, high school coach or, more importantly, a student-athlete about how he was treated by Mike."