People there are a few things going on here, in terms of someone who appears to be meeting or exceeding his performance goals on the job, but was terminated, and in terms of public response to that situation.
1. You can't piss off people in your job and still keep it. Yes, this means you cannot piss off student-athletes, their parents, your coworkers, your colleagues and, of course, your administrative supervisors. No one person/level is more important than the others. If this is any kind of surprise to you, you may be a '90s kids who thinks Numero Uno is paramount, and the means (job performance) justify the ends. Nope. The workplace needs to operate smoothly, even when there is conflict, or change, still everyone must get along in order for the organization to function and not fold. What we are seeing in Harvard is a team that is folding.
2. Working with college age humans regarding their bodies - and hopes and dreams and scholarships - brings with it some very strict rules of conduct. Very. Strict. Unfortunately, many coaches foul this up because they weren't trained like counselors and medical professionals to keep emotional and physical boundaries. IMO more rigid training - certification, even - needs to happen for the profession of college/HS coaching.
3. Female student athletes are attractive. They are fit. They look up to you. They don't generally talk back. They do as you say and say, "Great. Thank you." They put their best foot forward for you. They don't want to let you down. Gee, sounds ideal? This is why people get tangled up in work-place affairs. It's not real life/equal playing field. Everyone is on their best behavior. What should a coach do about it? Look out for the female student athletes and not take advantage of the coach-athlete intimacy in any inappropriate ways. "Yes, coach, okay, got it." Athlete crushes on coach? Coach says, "Nope. Not right. Stay back." If you don't/can't you are in the WRONG profession (see also clergy, counseling, and medicine, all of which require training on the subject).
4. When you are an expert, your eccentricities are tolerated by your professional peers. Einstein was notoriously disheveled and disorganized. Anyone who thinks this coach is an expert whose controversial coaching style should be tolerated may be trying to defend him tooth and nail. Is he really "The Einstein of Coaching?"
5. What is the purpose of college athletics? Win? Win at all costs? Win this year and perhaps quit the sport due to injury next year? That's more the plan for professional sports - lay it on the line for performance. College athletes are generally expected to be able to complete 4 years of healthy training and competition, graduate, choose whether or not to remain in the sport, and *** look back on their collegiate team experience as one of the best, most driving forces in their life.
6. ANYONE who thinks dating their coach is okay because, "Hey, you're over 18, you're an adult, you've got things figured out," is too young to know better.