After the final whistle of the Notre Dame vs. University of California men’s basketball game on Friday, January 2, Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry made a shocking move that left fans and officials stunned. The game, which was broadcast on ESPN, ended with a controversial call that led to Notre Dame’s loss. As the game concluded, Shrewsberry charged at an official, Adam Flore, in a moment of frustration over the decision.

The incident occurred near the Notre Dame bench, where players and coaches had to hold Shrewsberry back as he attempted to confront Flore while the official was making his way off the court. Another angle of the event, shared by The Athletic via X, captured the moment in detail, showing Shrewsberry charging at Flore immediately after the game ended.

Notre Dame lost the game, 72-71, due to a controversial foul that gave Cal free throws in the final seconds. The referees initially called a foul on a three-point shot by Cal’s Dai Dai Ames, then reversed the call, and finally reversed it again, creating confusion among both teams. This back-and-forth decision ultimately allowed Ames to make the free throw, securing the win for Cal and leaving the Notre Dame team in disbelief.

Shrewsberry did not speak to the media after the game, but he released a statement on Saturday, January 3, expressing regret for his actions. In the statement posted via X, he said:

“I want to apologize for what took place immediately after the Cal game last night. My actions were inappropriate and not symbolic of the leader I strive to be and what Notre Dame expects of its coaches and educators.”

He continued: “I will learn from this lack of judgment and be better in the future. I want to apologize to our team, our University and its leaders, to [Cal] Coach Madsen and his team, and to the ACC, as my actions were unacceptable.”

The ACC also issued a statement following the incident, criticizing Shrewsberry’s behavior toward the official. The conference said:

“Shrewsberry aggressively confronted a member of the officiating crew following the game. The unsportsmanlike behavior that was displayed is unacceptable and tarnishes the on-court play between these institutions. The ACC considers this matter closed and will have no further comment.”

It remains unclear whether Shrewsberry will face any consequences for the incident. After his team helped calm him down, he joined the rest of the players and coaches in the traditional postgame handshake line, stopping to talk and hug some of the Cal players.

Cal head coach Mark Madsen addressed the incident after the game, highlighting the emotional atmosphere in the gym. He said:

“There’s so much emotion in that gym – for the officials, for me, for the other team – but I was grateful Dai Dai rose up and made the shot. And I was grateful Dai Dai had the maturity and the huge presence of mind and the composure to knock down the free throw.”

Madsen added: “I thought there was a foul going up. [The officials] conversed a couple times, and they allowed it.”

With the win, Cal improved to 13-2 (1-1 ACC), while Notre Dame fell to 10-5 (1-1).