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Fansided

Phoenix Mercury fire assistant coach Todd Troxel after assault charge

By Carly Grenfell

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 14: Todd Troxel of the Phoenix Mercury poses for a head shot during Media Day on May 14, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 14: Todd Troxel of the Phoenix Mercury poses for a head shot during Media Day on May 14, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A charge and a firing.

After being charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct, the Phoenix Mercury fired assistant coach Todd Troxel. The Mercury released a statement earlier Tuesday about his firing, which involved an encounter with his fiancee.

“We have determined that Troxel’s conduct on that night was unacceptable and does not represent our values as an organization, and we cannot continue his employment,” the team said in a release.

“We recognize domestic violence as a significant problem, and we will continue our work with local organizations that support and protect victims and their families,” the statement continued. “Our league, our team, and our staff are committed to our mission of uplifting women, being an inclusive and safe space for all, and inspiring the next generation.”

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The encounter took place on Nov. 30 in the couple’s Paradise Valley home.

A Paradise Valley police spokesman told The Arizona Republic Troxel and his fiancee had an argument in an Uber ride home, which escalated into a physical altercation once they were inside. TMZ.com reported this was an argument about him wanting to smoke weed in the Uber.

Reports said his fiancee had a minor injury on one of her hands and Troxel himself was hospitalized for a cut on his own, serious enough to be hospitalized. According to a TMZ.com report, he punched through glass at the time of the incident and severed two arteries his hand. In this same report, Troxel allegedly told the cops he cut his arm on broken glass while putting up Christmas lights.

Head Coach Sandy Brondello and her top assistant, Julie Hairgrove, will search for an assistant coach to replace him in the 2019 WNBA campaign—just four short months away. Hairgrove has been with the Mercury for over 10 seasons; Troxel was on Phoenix’s staff for five.

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