STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Wagner College has named Dwan McMillan interim head coach of the men’s basketball team, but the school still indicated that Donald Copeland, who is reportedly under investigation by the school for allegedly mistreating his players, remains the team’s head coach.
McMillan was a member of the Seahawks basketball staff in 2024, rejoining Wagner as an assistant coach after two seasons at Fordham University (2022-24).
The Brooklyn native began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Mercyhurst University (2012–14) before serving as a graduate manager at Wagner for the 2014–15 season.
He also has coaching experience for the AAU with New Heights.
McMillan played college basketball for two seasons at Hofstra University before graduating in 2012.
Wagner opens the 2025–26 season Monday at Virginia Commonwealth.
As for Copeland, the school began conducting an internal investigation into the four-year coach, who was accused by former and present players of using language and coaching tactics that allegedly caused players “distress” and refusing them water breaks during summer practices.
After the allegations came to light four weeks ago, the school reportedly suspended Copeland.
The school still hasn’t commented on the findings of the investigation or on why appointing an interim coach was necessary.
Copeland, 41, was hired by Wagner in 2022. He was a former player at Seton Hall University and an assistant at Wagner in 2015 and later at Seton Hall before getting the head coaching job at Wagner.
In his second season at the helm, he led the Seahawks to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 21 years. As a result, he was a finalist for the 2023-24 Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year award.
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