COLONIE — Siena College men's basketball coach Jimmy Patsos is under investigation by the college following reports that he taunted and verbally abused a team student-manager who has a mental disorder — including referring to the student as “the next Unabomber," according to people familiar with the matter.

Members of the team in recent weeks have been interviewed by an outside attorney retained by the school, as well as the school’s Title IX coordinator.

Siena spokeswoman Lisa Witkowski confirmed the investigation in a statement Wednesday afternoon, while avoiding comment on the details of the allegations.

“As you know, college athletic departments regularly perform end-of-season reviews on their sports programs. Information surfaced during Siena's review of the men’s basketball program that requires deeper examination,” Witkowski said.

“This process demands time and must be conducted in confidence. We have an obligation to protect the rights of all involved, and we have a responsibility to ensure our athletic programs are held to the highest standards.”

The student manager, a sophomore, is diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a mental condition that causes severe anxiety, including unwanted and repeated thoughts, sensations and obsessive behavior. Patsos was aware of the student's condition when he made the alleged statements, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The Times Union is not identifying the student who filed a formal complaint with the school's president in February, which prompted the investigation. The complaint included allegations that Patsos called the student manager "insane" and teased him about his medications and other personal issues, including in front of players and others, that person said.

“(Patsos) does say some stuff,” said another person who witnessed some of the interactions, and has been interviewed by the outside attorney and the school's Title IX official.

The student manager who is the object of Patsos' remarks has privately questioned why he’s been singled out. “He just kind of takes it — but behind closed doors, he says, ‘Why?’" the person added, speaking on the condition they not be identified

Patsos could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

The investigation of Patsos comes as his team has come off its worst season during his five-year tenure head coach.

Patsos, who has a career record of 222-227 in 14 seasons as a Division I head coach, took the reins of the Siena basketball program in 2013, and led the Saints to a 20-18 record and a College Basketball Invitational title in his first season. His 2015-16 team posted a 21-13 record, and his 2016-2017 team fell to Iona 87-86 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament final.

Siena's on-court performance went south this season, with the Saints posting and 8-24 record this season, the worst record in Patsos' five-year tenure as head coach and the same mark Siena posted by Mitch Buonaguro, Patsos' predecessor, in his final season. His record at Siena is 77-92.

Prior to coaching at Siena, Patsos was the head coach at Loyola (Maryland) after a long stint as an assistant coach at the University of Maryland. He earned 2012 MAAC Coach of the Year honors when his Loyola team captured the conference tournament title.

John D’Argenio, the school’s athletic director, said in February the school was committed to keeping Patsos, who has three years left on his coaching contract.

Robert Gavin and Madison Iszler contributed. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU