Georgetown Coach Ed Cooley Suspended for Throwing Bottle, Hitting Child
Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball coach Ed Cooley has been suspended for one game after an incident during a recent game against the Xavier Musketeers. This event occurred on Saturday when the Hoyas were trailing 80-77, with less than five seconds remaining on the clock.
Following a missed potential game-tying shot, Cooley threw a plastic water bottle into the stands, accidentally hitting a young fan seated with their mother.
Incident Details
- Opponent: Xavier Musketeers
- Score at time of incident: 80-77
- Time remaining: Under 5 seconds
- Location: Georgetown University
Official Response
Lee Reed, the athletic director of Georgetown, addressed the situation in a statement. He emphasized that Cooley’s actions were not in line with the expected conduct of coaches or the values upheld by Georgetown University.
As a consequence, Cooley will miss the next game against Coppin State. Associate Head Coach Jeff Battle will take over coaching duties during this suspension.
Cooley’s Remarks
In the aftermath of the incident, Cooley expressed regret during his postgame news conference. He acknowledged that his conduct was unusual for him, stating, “Definitely out of character to be so frustrated, but that’s not called for.” He also mentioned his intent to reach out to the family involved to offer his apologies.
Cooley’s Background
Ed Cooley, 56, is currently in his third season as head coach of the Hoyas. He began his coaching career at Fairfield in 2006 and later took the head coaching position at Providence in 2011. While at Providence, he achieved a 242-153 record over 12 seasons.
Since joining Georgetown, Cooley has experienced mixed results with a current record of 35-43, including 11-31 in Big East play. The team now has an 8-4 record for the current season, following their setback against Xavier.
Conclusion
This incident brings attention to the importance of maintaining composure in high-pressure situations. The suspension highlights Georgetown’s commitment to upholding standards of conduct in collegiate athletics.
