Georgetown coach Ed Cooley sparks controversy with "bulls**t" jab at Illinois, apologizes after backlash
Georgetown coach Ed Cooley has apologized for a derogatory comment he made about the Illinois men's college basketball program after his team secured a home win against Saint Francis on Saturday. The Hoyas dispatched the visiting Red Flash 82-65 to improve their record to 3-1.
During his postgame remarks, Cooley spoke about junior guard Jayden Epps, who transferred from Illinois after his freshman season.
“It’s almost like he’s a new player. It’s something I saw in his freshman year when he played for... that other bulls**t school," Cooley said after the game.
This comment sparked a wave of reactions from angry Illinois fans.
The comment sparked backlash from Illinois fans, who flooded social media to criticize the coach.
"That other bullshit school that actually wins basketball games," a fan commented.
"Really @HoyaCoachCooley ya'll won 9 games last season and haven't played anyone other than Notre Dame and lost so maybe you should worry about your own bullshit school," another fan commented.
"Go home Ed you’re drunk," a fan also wrote.
Several fans responded to Ed Cooley's comments by highlighting Georgetown's lack of achievements.
"Can we see Georgetown’s combined record since he’s been there?" one said.
"Yes his 9-23 record last year is a strong talking point," another said.
"Georgetown hasn’t been relevant since the Clinton years," another added.
Following the uproar, Cooley posted an apology on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging his use of a "poor choice of words" and expressing respect for Illinois.
"My comment today was said in jest with one of my players, but I admit it was a poor choice of words. I have the utmost respect for the University of Illinois, its men's basketball program, coaches and players," he said.
Epps played his freshman season for the Fighting Illini, where he started 11 games and averaged 9.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last year. In March 2023, he announced his decision to transfer to Georgetown, joining Ed Cooley's program.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood reacts to Ed Cooley's remarks
Ed Cooley's comment sparked a lot of backlash from Illinois fans, prompting an apology from the Georgetown coach. However, Illinois coach Brad Underwood appeared unfazed, especially after his team's 87-40 blowout victory over Maryland Eastern Shore.
"My guys told me about it," he said. "That's not even worth wasting my time on. I don't know what he's referencing that about. Jayden had a productive freshman year here. But I'm not getting into all that."
"I'll let our fans have some fun with that, which I'm sure they probably are. But I've got Arkansas Little Rock to worry about and Arkansas to worry about and Northwestern to worry about and everybody else to worry about. I mean, I don't read (the media's) stuff, I'm sure as heck not gonna read his."
The last time the Hoyas faced the Illini was an 88-80 Georgetown victory in Champaign, Illinois. That game also marked the last meeting between the two teams. Cooley has not coached against Illinois since November 2015, when he led his Providence team to a 60–59 home win.