Georgetown coach Ed Cooley suspended 1 game for water bottle throw

Field Level Media|published: Sun 21st December, 15:58 2025

Mar 12, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Georgetown Hoyas head coach Ed Cooley coaches against the DePaul Blue Demons during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley has been suspended one game, CBS Sports reported Sunday, after he threw a water bottle Saturday that ended up hitting a small child sitting behind the Hoyas bench.

After Georgetown's Malik Mack missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer that sealed the Hoyas' 80-77 loss to Xavier, Cooley fired a water bottle back toward the bench with an overhand throw. The bottle instead hit a small child sitting in the lap of his mother.

The Big East Conference said it worked in consultation with Georgetown on the suspension, with the punishment decided by the school.

"We have communicated with Georgetown leadership and support their decision to suspend head men's basketball coach Ed Cooley for his actions following last night's game against Xavier," the Big East said in a statement. "The safety and security of spectators and participants at Big East events is of paramount importance and fundamental to the enjoyment of our games."

The small child is apparently related to Georgetown center Vince Iwuchukwu, who is out of action after undergoing a medical procedure.

"First and foremost, I have to apologize to the Iwuchukwu family," Cooley said at the start of his postgame press conference. "Really frustrated, realized I threw my water bottle, and it hit (him) and his mom. Definitely out of character to be so frustrated, but really that's not called for.

"I'll call them and make amends to that. Just totally out of character, frustration. So I apologize to the fans, our players, the university. Totally, totally out of character for me to be that way."

The Hoyas lost at home for the first time in seven games this season, while falling to 8-4 overall and 1-1 in the Big East Conference.

Cooley is 35-43 in three seasons at Georgetown after he posted a 242-153 record in 12 seasons at Big East rival Providence (2011-23). He has a career 369-265 record as a Division I head coach after starting also coaching at Fairfield (2006-11).

--Field Level Media

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