Georgetown suspends coach who threw water bottle that hit kid in crowd

Georgetown men’s basketball coach Ed Cooley threw his water bottle into the home crowd after a loss to Xavier Saturday night, Dec. 20, appearing to hit a child sitting on his mother’s lap behind the bench.

Now, the Big East school has suspended Cooley for one game following the incident.

‘I met with Coach Cooley today to discuss the incident which occurred after last night’s game against Xavier,’ Georgetown Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee Reed said in a statement Sunday, Dec. 21. ‘I expressed that his conduct did not align with the standards we expect of our coaches, nor does it reflect the values of Georgetown Athletics or Georgetown University.’

Cooley had just watched his team miss 18 free throws in an 80-77 loss to Xavier and then miss a 3-point shot attempt at the buzzer that would have tied the game at the end of regulation.

Cooley opened his postgame press conference with an apology to the family.

‘Definitely out of character for me to be so frustrated but, really, that’s not called for and I’ll call them and make amends to them,’ he told reporters. ‘So I apologize to the fans, I apologize to our players. Totally, totally out of character for me to be that way.’

The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, identified the family to whom Cooley apologized as that of Georgetown center Vince Iwuchukwu, who is out after needing an undisclosed medical procedure last month.

Cooley mentioned the Nyahkoon family by name in his apology, but a Georgetown spokesperson confirmed Sunday they are not actually related to Iwuchukwu.

‘From everything to my knowledge, there is no connection,’ Georgetown Assistant Athletics Director for Communications/Creative Services Diana Pulupa told USA TODAY Sports when asked about the incident’s connection to Iwuchukwu. ‘The Nyahkoons are family friends of the Cooleys.’ 

Cooley, 56, is in his third season as Georgetown’s coach after taking over for Patrick Ewing. While Georgetown (8-4) has improved, going 18-16 last season after a 9-23 mark his first year.

‘I am deeply sorry for my actions during last night’s game, and sincerely apologize to the Nyahkoon family, whom I have known for years and regard as my own family,’ Cooley said in a statement released Sunday. ‘My conduct was unacceptable and does not represent who I am or the leader I strive to be. I want to also apologize to the Georgetown community, team, fans, the league and my family. I take full responsibility for my actions and their consequences. I will learn from this experience to ensure it never happens again.’

Cooley recently expressed frustration with the team’s attendance. The Hoyas have played before sparse crowds at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena, which hosts the NBA’s Wizards and NHL’s Capitals. Last night’s was just over 5,000.

After a game played at McDonough Arena, the school’s smaller on-campus gym, Dec. 13, Cooley said he had scheduled the game there so it was more convenient for fans during final exams.

‘I wish we had more students take a study break to come,’ Cooley said, according The Hoya, a student newspaper. ‘It’s a little disappointing not to have those young men and women show up.’

Earlier in Saturday’s game, Cooley turned to the crowd behind him to try and encourage them to cheer when his team played defense in a close game.

Georgetown next plays Monday, Dec. 22, against Coppin State at McDonough, its second and final game scheduled on campus this season. Jeff Battle, the associate head coach, will coach the team.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)