The former coach of the University of New Hampshire women’s hockey team says he should be reinstated.

The university fired Brian McCloskey late last year following an incident of what officials called “inappropriate physical contact” with a player on the bench.

UNH officials declined to give details, other than to deny that the contact was sexual in nature. But in letters sent by McCloskey and lawyers to UNH officials and coaches obtained by Foster’s Daily Democrat, McCloskey claims UNH has mischaracterized the incident.

The former coach says one of his players began ignoring his coaching instructions and “began shouting profanity-laced excuses” before turning away from him entirely. McCloskey says he pulled on the shoulder of the player’s jersey “so that she would be seated on the bench” and then reprimanded her for her conduct.

UNH president Mark Huddleston declined to comment on what he called a personnel issue, but said “the decision to terminate Coach McCloskey was not made lightly.”

Earlier this week university athletic director Marty Scarano announced Jamie Wood and Stephanie Jones would continue to serve as interim co-head coaches for the remainder of the 2013-14 season.