Feb. 23, 2000 5:47 PM Sportsticker

DOVER, Delaware (Ticker) -- Delaware State coach Tony Sheals was suspended indefinitely today by the school after he allegedly attacked one of his players following a loss earlier this week.

The incident occured in the wake of Monday's 87-73 home setback to Hampton. Sheals, who is in his first season at Delaware State, made physical contact with senior guard Stefan Malliet in the Hornets' locker room.

According to a report Tuesday on College Hoops Insider's web site, Sheals blamed the loss on Malliet and pushed the player over a chair before jumping on him.

Former Delaware State assistant coach Harry Thayer will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the regular season -- road games at Howard and Morgan State -- and the Mid-Eastern Conference tournament, which begins on March 6.

Thayer was as an assistant at his alma mater during the 1998-99 season.

Assistant coach Randy Less has also been reassigned within the athletic department. The Hornets are 5-20 overall and 4-12 in the MEAC as they struggle through their worst campaign since the 1978-79 season.

Sheals, 40, arrived at Delaware State after two years as an assistant at Towson. He coached at fellow MEAC member Bethune-Cookman, his alma mater, for four seasons (1993-97), compiling a record of 45-65.

Sheals was an assistant at Bethune-Cookman for one season prior to taking over the program and from 1990-92 guided South Florida Community College to a 37-27 mark. He has a career record of 87-112.

Copyright © 2000 SportsTicker Enterprises, L.P.