After the final whistle of the Notre Dame vs. University of California men’s basketball game on Friday, Jan. 2, Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry charged in front of an official, upset by the controversial end of the match that caused his team to lose.
the game, broadcast by ESPNshowed a scrum near the Notre Dame bench after the game ended, with Notre Dame players and coaches holding Shrewsberry down after he charged at the official. Adam Flore as Flore left the track.
Another angle of the incident, published by The Athletic via Xshows a close-up of the moment when Shrewsberry charged at Flore as soon as the game concluded.
Notre Dame lost the game, 72-71, after a controversial foul gave Cal free throws in the final seconds of the game.
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The officials initially called a foul on a three-pointer by Cal’s Go, go Amesthen reversed the call and then reversed the call again, creating confusion and frustration between the two teams.
Cal took the lead after Ames made the extra free throw — after hitting a three-pointer in which he was fouled — leaving the Notre Dame team in disbelief over what happened down the stretch, frustrations boiling over.
Shrewsberry, who did not speak to the media after the game, released a statement on Saturday, Jan. 3, showing remorse for his actions.
“I want to apologize for what happened immediately after the Cal game last night,” Shrewsberry said in a statement. published through X. “My actions were inappropriate and did not symbolize the leader I strive to be and what Notre Dame expects of its coaches and educators.”
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry reacts against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on December 2, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesHe continued, “I will learn from this lack of judgment and do better in the future. I want to apologize to our team, our University and its leaders, Coach (Cal) Madsen and his team, and the ACC, as my actions were unacceptable.”
The ACC also issued a statement following the incident, reprimanding Shrewsberry’s behavior towards the officer.
“Shrewsberry aggressively confronted a member of the umpiring crew after the game. The unsportsmanlike behavior displayed is unacceptable and tarnishes the game on the court between these institutions,” the conference said in a statement. “The ACC considers this matter closed and will have no further comment.”
It’s unclear if Shrewsberry will face any repercussions for the incident.
After his team helped calm him down, Shrewsberry joined the rest of the players and coaches in the traditional postgame handshake line, stopping to talk and hug some of the Cal players.
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Head coach needed Mark Madsen addressed the incident after the game.
“There’s a lot of excitement in this gym, for the officials, for me, for the other team, but I was thankful that Dai Dai stepped up and made the shot,” Madsen said. “And I was thankful that Dai Dai had the maturity and the great presence of mind and the composure to knock down the free kick.”
He continued: “I thought there was a foul. (Officials) talked it over a couple of times and allowed it.”
Cal improved to 13-2 (1-1 ACC) with the win, while Notre Dame fell to 10-5 (1-1).