NCAA Reprimands Louisville Women's Coach For Actions During Tourney

 The NCAA said Walz violated tournament policy by using profane and abusive language toward game officials, individuals seated at the scorer’s table and on the team bench, as well as kicking the scorer’s table during the 76-69 loss to Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 in Spokane, Wash. 

 The NCAA, which also reprimanded Baylor coach Kim Mulkey for criticizing the NCAA Tournament bracket, withheld the championship per diem allowance for both Walz and Mulkey. The NCAA did not reveal the amount. 

 The NCAA issued the reprimands because both violations occurred during the NCAA Tournament. 

 “The committee was very disappointed in the behavior of both coaches and strongly believes their actions discredited them and tarnished the championship,” Marilyn McNeil, chair of the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee and Monmouth University athletic director, said in release. 

 UofL athletic director Tom Jurich said that the athletic department accepts the NCAA’s assessment and that it has addressed the matter internally. He declined to reveal specifics. 

 “Anything we do discipline-wise, we keep it internal,” Jurich said. “Jeff is aware of the situation. Everyone was very upset with the officiating. There were probably better ways for him to express himself, and he understands it.” 

 Walz said the stress of the NCAA Tournament was ratcheted up due to Monique Reid’s injury. The team's leading scorer played only five minutes because of a groin injury she suffered in warmups. 

 “I’ve had conversations with the administration,” Walz said. “I’m quite aware of things that I’m planning on working on for next season. Unfortunately, it was a very stressful game having lost Monique. I’m really excited about this upcoming season. We’re planning on moving forward." 

Walz has coached four seasons at U of L, guiding the team to the 2009 NCAA title game where it lost to Connecticut. The Cardinals finished last season 22-13. The seventh-seeded Cardinals reached the Sweet 16 but had to face Gonzaga in its hometown of Spokane.

NCAA spokesman Cameron Schuh wrote in an email to The Courier-Journal that the issuing of public reprimands has been part of the NCAA manual for at least 20 years.