Gary Gosnell, a metal detector enthusiast and YouTuber, has filed a lawsuit against USC and men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman over a profane confrontation on Manhattan Beach last month. The suit alleges that Musselman verbally attacked Gosnell during a photo shoot for the Trojans on September 13, causing “severe emotional and psychological distress” and worsening Gosnell’s existing health conditions.
According to court documents obtained by the California Post, Gosnell was walking along the shore while using his metal detector when he approached the area of the USC basketball team’s photo shoot. Assistant coach Will Conroy reportedly asked Gosnell to move, but Gosnell insisted he was on a public beach and would move after finishing his activity. The lawsuit says Conroy threatened him, prompting Musselman to intervene with a string of profanities.
The complaint quotes Musselman shouting in Gosnell’s face to “shut the fk up,” calling him a “fking d*head,” and threatening that “somebody should fking drop you ass is what should happen.” The incident was captured on video by Gosnell. The suit names both Musselman and Conroy as defendants, accusing them of causing Gosnell “fear, anxiety and humiliation” and aggravating his post-traumatic stress disorder.
Gosnell, 57, has undergone multiple surgeries, including three on his spine, a knee surgery, and several foot surgeries. He holds a disabled parking placard and claims the confrontation led to a “significant deterioration” in his health. The lawsuit also targets USC for allegedly failing to supervise Musselman, stating the university “knew or should have known” about the coach’s tendency toward “unprovoked, profane, hostile, and intimidating verbal outbursts.”
Musselman addressed the incident last week, saying he was “trying to step in and support” his coach but acknowledged he “definitely should have handled this situation better and will learn from this for the future.” The university has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
This latest legal action comes shortly after another lawsuit was filed against Musselman and USC by former star player Chad Baker-Mazara. Baker-Mazara alleged Musselman directed a “profanity-laced, racially-charged” tirade at him in the locker room during the final stretch of the previous season, which led to his departure from the team.
Musselman took over as USC’s head coach before the 2024-25 season after five years at Arkansas. The Trojans finished 18-14 last season and have yet to reach the NCAA tournament under his leadership. USC is set to open its new season against Milwaukee on November 2.
According to Yahoo Sports.
