Syracuse University will hire an outside firm to investigate allegations of inappropriate behavior leveled against the women's basketball coach, the school said in a statement Tuesday.

The Athletic, a national sports news outlet, reported that a toxic culture led to the transfer of 11 players this past spring. Former players and staff members accused coach Quentin Hillsman of "often-inappropriate behavior, including unwanted physical contact, threats and bullying." One of Hillsman's assistants, Ronnie Enoch, is also accused of inappropriate comments and actions. According to the report, Enoch was hired by Hillsman into the program after he was dismissed from a previous coaching position in North Carolina following allegations of inappropriate behavior with players.

Hillsman did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.

The Athletic said three of the nine players interviewed had suicidal thoughts because of their experiences in the program and another had thoughts of self-harm.

A player reported some of the allegations in an exit survey given to her by a Syracuse University employee, according to the article.

A unviersity spokesperson said Tuesday that no formal complaints had been made from anyone within the women's basketball program. 

"The allegations reported in The Athletic today are troubling," said Sarah Scalese, the university's senior associate vice president for communications. "We ask any individual who has knowledge of or has experienced this kind of conduct to come forward."

Athletic director John Wildhack told The Athletic that “appropriate action” will be taken if any inappropriate behavior is found.

"Syracuse athletics remains committed to providing a healthy, academically rigorous, competitive and rewarding environment to all our student-athletes,” Wildhack said in the article. “Any behavior – from our student-athletes, coaches and staff – that contradicts our commitment to these ideals is investigated thoroughly, and if necessary."

The Orange went 15-9 this past season, losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Between then and April 20, according to The Athletic, 11 players announced they would transfer, including Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and co-Defensive Player of the Year Kamilla Cardoso.

Former Syracuse standout Tiana Mangakahia reacted to the story on Twitter, claiming the allegations against Hillsman came "when you don’t get what you want."

Another former Orange standout, Alexis Peterson, came to Hillsman defense in an interview Tuesday afternoon with Spectrum News.

"The coach that I played for for four years, that I went to a national championship with, that put me in the position to be the only ACC Player of the Year ever [from Syracuse], I know this is not a man that does anything like this," Peterson said.