BREAKING: Siena’s Jimmy Patsos Denies Allegations

After a whirlwind of allegations surrounding the Siena basketball program and head coach Jimmy Patsos, we finally were able to hear from the man himself.

On Friday, Patsos addressed the media about allegations that he mistreated a student team manager and that coaches improperly withheld per diem payments from players.

The TEAM's own and WNYT's Chris Onorato was there and joined us live to provide more information:

"This manager was given the same assignments and performed the same tasks as all my other managers. This also imported inclusion and a bantering teasing that always occurs between players, coaches, managers and staff," Patsos said. "I absolutely love this guy and thought he did a great job for us."

According to The Times Union, Patsos reportedly called the student manager "insane" and a "Unabomber" and that players told investigators that their signatures appeared to have been forged on per diem vouchers; and that they did not receive the cash that was indicated.

"If I ever became aware that anybody was...any member or player... were making actions or were making him or anyone else uncomfortable, I would swiftly end this. I would want to know right away," Patsos said.

"In regards to the recent stories regarding the per diem's, I have no knowledge about these reports," Patsos said.  "Furthermore, neither I, nor to my knowledge, any of the coaches ever used a player or manager's per diem for personal expenses."

Patsos led the Saints to their worst record during his tenure as head coach as they went 8-24 and lost in the opening round of the MAAC Tournament. Patsos has a 77-92 in his five seasons since joining Siena from Loyola (MD).