Former IU Indianapolis Players File Lawsuit Alleging Abuse Against Coach Paul Corsaro Amid his Holiday Celebration with Wife and Family
Allegations of abuse cast a shadow over Paul Corsaro’s holiday season!
CoachNewsAnishDecember 18, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on December 18, 2026
Indianapolis — Six former Indiana University Indianapolis men’s basketball players filed a lawsuit Monday, accusing former head coach Paul Corsaro of sustained psychological and physical abuse during the 2026-25 season, as Corsaro was enjoying holiday photos with his wife, Brooke, and their young son.
After the College fired him in May 2026, the Coach has been enjoying his time with his wife, who has been married for over three years, and other family members.
The complaint, filed in Marion County, alleges a pattern of verbal attacks, public humiliation, and physical contact that the players say left lasting mental and physical harm.
According to the suit, Corsaro routinely used slurs aimed at women and LGBTQ people, publicly berated players, threatened scholarships, and pressured athletes to play through injuries.
Six Former Players Come Forward Alleging Mental and Physical Abuse
One detailed example in the filing says a player delayed care for a concussion out of fear of retaliation. When he later sought treatment and was placed on a minutes restriction, the complaint alleges Corsaro told him, “real men play through concussions.”
In another incident, a player who returned from a rolled ankle was mocked and told his “mother must have raised a real bitch,” the suit states.
The physical allegations are serious. Plaintiffs say Corsaro choked, shoved, punched, and otherwise physically assaulted multiple players during practices and games.
The complaint describes episodes in which Corsaro drew demeaning language on a player’s hand and ordered degrading actions during drills in front of teammates and other programs.
The suit also claims the coach’s conduct encouraged a toxic locker room atmosphere that led to player-on-player violence in at least one case.
Players and attorneys say the mental toll was severe. They cite depression, insomnia, extreme weight loss, and self-harm.
The filing alleges one player contemplated suicide and another became so distraught that family and assistant coaches staged an intervention.
The plaintiffs link those harms to lost scholarship opportunities, lost name-image-likeness income, and diminished future earning potential.
The lawsuit names Indiana University Indianapolis and its board of trustees. It accuses the university of failing to supervise Corsaro and failing to stop the alleged conduct even after other athletic staff allegedly witnessed problematic behavior.
The plaintiffs bring counts of negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention, breach of contract, and respondeat superior.
They seek at least $2,438,708 in damages and have asked for a jury trial. Multiple subpoenas have already been filed in the case.
Corsaro was dismissed by IU Indianapolis in May after an internal investigation concluded his behavior “did not meet the university’s values and standards regarding the treatment of student athletes.”
In October, Corsaro filed a tort claim against the university, calling his termination wrongful and asserting the investigative report did not justify a for-cause firing.
The tort notice contends the inquiry substantiated only limited conduct, such as cursing and a single bump during practice, and says Corsaro was not told specifically what conduct justified his firing.
Corsaro has publicly denied mistreating players and said he will vigorously defend his reputation. IU Indianapolis declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Public records and reporting show Corsaro is not currently employed as a coach.
The timing of the lawsuit, coming as he shares family moments online, has drawn attention and shaped local conversation about accountability and image.
The suit raises broader questions about oversight in college programs and how institutions respond to player complaints.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys argue the university’s response compounded the harm by allowing the conduct to continue.
University officials so far have limited public statements to procedural remarks and a refusal to discuss pending legal matters.
The case will move through Marion County courts. Discovery and witness subpoenas are expected to produce more detail as both sides prepare for a potential trial.
For now, the lawsuit frames a stark dispute: former players seeking redress for alleged abuse and a coach fighting to clear his name.
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AnishAnish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.
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