Men’s basketball | Iowa coach Fran McCaffery rails at official after loss to Ohio State
![Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffrey talks to the referees after being called on a technical foul in the second half of their game at Schottenstein Arena in Columbus, Ohio on February 26, 2019. OSU beat the Hawkeyes 90-70. [Brooke LaValley/Dispatch]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/2019/02/26/NBUX/ghows-OH-82d67630-025b-767d-e053-0100007f2bcd-e565f3a2.jpeg?width=660&height=455&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery unleashed an expletive-laden tirade at an official Tuesday night moments after a 90-70 loss to Ohio State at Value City Arena.
The exchange — overheard by multiple reporters, including a Dispatch photographer — came after both McCaffery and his son, Connor, were assessed technical fouls within a minute of each other during the second half as the No. 22 Hawkeyes were outscored 54-37. It took place in the hallway that leads to both the visitors’ locker room and the officials’ locker room.
McCaffery was heard saying, “You cheating (expletive). You're a (expletive) disgrace.”
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After the incident, McCaffery told reporters “I can’t talk about that” when he was asked about the officiating.
He said he asked his son what had happened that resulted in his technical foul.
“He told me,” the coach said.
Asked if he could elaborate, a team spokesman said, “He can’t go there,” with McCaffery adding, “I would love to. Trust me. I can’t.”
Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann was also whistled for a technical foul. His came during the first half, after he took offense to first a pair of illegal screen fouls on sophomore Kaleb Wesson and then a traveling violation on freshman Duane Washington Jr.
Asked about his technical foul, Holtmann joked, “We had a nice conversation. Just asking how each others’ families were doing.”
Then, he added, “I deserved it.
“I just lost my cool. I think we all know how important every game is now and how important Kaleb is on the floor. We’ve been on him so much, and I think he’s taken really good strides in not fouling and staying composed when he gets a bad call. Again, he was much more composed than his coach. I thought he came back and did a great job the rest of the game.”
For the game, Iowa was called for 19 fouls and Ohio State 13.
ajardy@dispatch.com
@AdamJardy