Jeff Walz responds to ACC's decision to fine him $20,000 for criticizing officials at Syracuse game

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- University of Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz knew that he was likely to draw a fine after he criticized the Atlantic Coast Conference officials for a questionable intentional foul call that he disliked in the final seconds of Louisville's loss at Syracuse on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Walz learned the amount of the fine: $20,000.

"I understand the league's sportsmanship policy," Walz said Tuesday after the fine was announced. "I was just hoping to get an interpretation of the rules so I know how to proceed going forward."

Walz was unhappy that an intentional foul was whistled against Louisville forward Olivia Cochran that resulted in Syracuse shooting and making two free throws with 2.3 seconds to play that gave the Orange a 73-72 win.

Although the Cards were trying to foul the Orange, the Cards had two fouls to give before Syracuse shot free throws. The intent was to burn clock. Typically, intentional fouls are called after a defender is extremely physical with an opposing player.

"I was told that it is up to the discretion of the official to call a play like that a personal foul or an intentional foul, and the determination was that it was an intentional foul," Walz said. "So it was the correct call."

Walz said that because of that decision, he'll re-think his strategy about fouling late in games.

"You just never see that called, but if that's the way it's going to be called, we'll have to adjust," Walz said.

After the game, Walz call the official's call "god-awful," as well as the "worst call I've seen in my 29 years of coaching."

Here is the official release from the ACC office that was issued Tuesday afternoon:

"The Atlantic Coast Conference issued a public reprimand of Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz for violating the ACC Sportsmanship Policy following Louisville's game against Syracuse on February 11. In addition, the league announced that an institutional fine has been issued to Louisville ($20,000) as a result of the violation. The funds from the imposed institutional fine will be placed into the Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship account.

Walz's postgame comments regarding the officials were in direct violation of the ACC Sportsmanship Policy that states: "Public criticism of officials or public comments evaluating the officiating of particular contests is not in the best interest of intercollegiate athletics. Individuals associated with the athletics program are prohibited, therefore, from commenting while acting in an official capacity on officiating other than directly to the Conference office."

The ACC considers this matter closed and will have no further comment

Louisville returns to the court Thursday when the Cards visit Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, at 7 p.m.

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