PITTSBURGH, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- The University of Pittsburgh said Saturday it has fired newly hired football Coach Michael Haywood after he was charged with domestic battery.
The move came shortly after Haywood was released from jail in South Bend, Ind., Saturday after posting $1,000 bond, authorities told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg issued a statement saying Haywood, who had been hired as the Panthers' head coach less than a month ago, was being let go.
"After careful consideration of recent events, the University of Pittsburgh has dismissed Michael Haywood as its head football coach, effective immediately. He was advised of that action this afternoon," the statement said.
Authorities told the newspaper Haywood was taken into custody Friday afternoon and charged with domestic battery after police were called to his home in South Bend.
A woman police identified as the mother of Haywood's child told officers the coach "held her in a choke hold" and pushed her.
The Post-Gazette said Indiana prosecutors stepped up the charges from a misdemeanor to a felony because the alleged assault took place in the presence of Haywood's 21-month-old son.
