CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Chris Heaton, The Class of 1989 Head Coach for Diving, has decided to step down from his role at Harvard University, Bob Scalise, The John D. Nichols ’53 Family Director of Athletics, announced today (Oct. 9).
Tracey Bird will step in as the new interim coach, effective immediately.
A national search for a successor will be conducted.
Chris Heaton was placed on leave after a class-action suit filed in an Indiana court alleged that the 31-year-old solicited nude pictures from female athletes at an Indiana Diving Academy, also known as Ripfest.
Heaton was hired by Harvard in August 2018, but Harvard was unaware of the allegations of misconduct at the time, according to university spokeswoman Rachael Dane.
“Upon learning of allegations of sexual misconduct from media reports, Harvard immediately placed Mr. Heaton on leave, pending a review by Harvard University,” she said in a statement obtained by CNN.
Harvard Swimming and Diving contributed to this report.
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