Timeline: Larry Eustachy's downfall at Iowa State
Former Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy finds himself in a bubbling controversy again. The Fort Collins Coloradoan published an exclusive Wednesday, uncovering a 2014 Colorado State investigation that found Eustachy, the Rams' head coach since 2012, "created a culture of fear and intimidation and emotionally abused his players."
Eustachy became a lightning rod at Iowa State following a April 2003 Register report detailed his partying antics at college parties at Missouri and Kansas State. That Register report included photos of Eustachy's behavior -- including drinking and kissing females on the cheek -- at the Missouri house party. Eustachy said he was an alcoholic at press conference in late April 2003 and resigned days later on May 5, 2003.
Below is a timeline that led to Eustachy's ouster from Iowa State after two Big 12 championships in five seasons.
Jan. 22, 2003: The Iowa State men's basketball team loses, 64-59, to the Tigers in Columbia. In his postgame news conference, Eustachy had described himself as "as disappointed as I've been in a long time" and criticized his players, saying: "This is the real world. Our guys have to get tougher."
Jan. 23, 2003: The next day, a photo of Eustachy standing among six college-age students, appears on Missouri internet fan boards.
Jan. 24, 2003: Former Iowa State athletic director Bruce Van De Velde confirms the authenticity of the photo, but said it was no big deal. "He was just pausing to have his picture taken with some fans who saw him out for dinner," Van De Velde says. "Larry is the kind of coach that if you ask him for an autograph or take a picture, he will do that. He is that kind of coach, which is a good thing," he says.
Early March 2003: Then-Missouri student Sean Devereaux calls the Des Moines Register to say he has photos of Eustachy kissing women at the party in his apartment.
Mid-March 2003: Devereaux mails the negatives to the Des Moines Register because he decides Eustachy's behavior was inappropriate and people in Iowa should know of his actions. The Register does not pay for the photos.
Late March, early April 2003: Then-Register reporter Tom Witosky tries to locate partygoers to see if their version of the events that night matches Devereaux's version. In the process, he also learns of Eustachy's presence at a party in Manhattan, Kan., in 2002.
April 14, 2003: The Register calls Iowa State to request an interview with athletic director Bruce Van De Velde about the photos.
April 14-18, 2003: Before the interview takes place, Eustachy meets with Van De Velde and Iowa State president Gregory Geoffroy, expressing remorse for his actions.
April 18, 2003: Van De Velde, in an interview, says his original statement about the coach's behavior on the night in question was based on information he received from Eustachy. He says the school won't reveal if disciplinary action is being discussed.
April 19, 2003: The Register requests an interview with Eustachy through his legal representative, Jerry Crawford.
April 24, 2003: Eustachy releases a statement to the Register acknowledging, "In the past, I have made some poor decisions that I regret."
April 28, 2003: The Register publishes its report and Devereaux's photos.
April 30, 2003: Eustachy said he's an alcoholic, is receiving treatment, but will not resign.
Later on April 30, 2003: Van De Velde says Eustachy has been suspended with pay and that Van De Velde has recommended Eustachy be fired.
May 5, 2003: Eustachy agrees to resign in return for a cash settlement on his contract that was originally set to continue until 2011.