LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) -- University of Louisville Women's Head Basketball Coach Jeff Walz was publicly reprimanded and given penalties by the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee.
The reprimand and penalties come after the coach’s misconduct during the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.
The committee said Walz directed inappropriate comments and profane language toward committee members and NCAA staff seated at the scorer’s table during the team’s loss to Mississippi State on March 30.
Walz was issued a one-game NCAA postseason championship suspension, which will be served at the next NCAA postseason opportunity. This will be served regardless where Walz is coaching at the time. The committee also will withhold Walz’s Women’s Final Four per diem allowance.
The Division I Women’s Basketball Committee also said Walz has been reprimanded multiple times previously. They noted similar conduct in 2011 so the committee applied a stronger penalty to discourage future misconduct this time.
“The committee actively encourages coaches and student-athletes to display good sportsmanship throughout the season and during the championship,” said Rhonda Lundin Bennett, chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee and senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator at Nevada. “The committee agreed that coach Walz’s conduct did not meet acceptable standards and has no place in the sport or the women’s basketball championship.”
Director of Athletics Vince Tyra commented on this:
“I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Walz at length and following our conversation have a clear understanding of the issue from both Coach and the NCAA’s perspective. Coach Walz’s intensity on the sideline is one of his most endearing qualities, but following our discussion, we both acknowledged that his behavior during the national semifinal game was not acceptable and is not how we want to represent the University of Louisville. I appreciate Coach’s cooperation resolving this matter and fully anticipate that he will adhere to championship policies, sportsmanship and conduct expectations in the future.”
Women’s Basketball head coach Jeff Walz commented on this:
“In the national semifinal game, I used some inappropriate language as I expressed my frustration toward the scorer’s table about the officiating. I realize that these comments are not acceptable, did not represent the University of Louisville in the best light, and I apologize for my actions. I will be more mindful in expressing my emotions going forward. My staff and I are looking forward to another successful run next season.“