Jacksonville University college basketball coach Jordan Mincy was ejected less than five minutes into Saturday’s game against North Alabama. It led to one of the most unusual exits that you will ever see.
Mincy’s frustration stemmed from a sequence of fouls to begin the game.
According to Thomas Lundborg, who was watching the game intently, the Dolphins were called for three fouls on one defensive trip. Even though he is a fan of the Lions, he said that maybe one of the trio of fouls was warranted. The other two were not.
Thus, Mincy went over to the ASUN officials during the first media timeout and gave them a piece of his mind. Whatever they told him to justify the call did not go over well. The third-year head coach was irate.
As result of his (apparently justified) meltdown, Mincy was thrown out of the contest.
He did not leave quickly. Rather, the opposite.
Mincy first went over to the North Alabama huddle and shook every opposing player and coach’s hand. And then, after being pushed off of the court by the referee, he walked over to the crowd and started pleading his case to Jacksonville athletic director Alex Ricker-Gilbert.
It seemed as though Mincy said “that’s f—– up,” among other choice words.
I've never seen a head coach walk up to their AD in the middle of a game. pic.twitter.com/uBleYyqCdS
— Mitch Williams (@MitchLeeDubya) February 10, 2024
Cooler heads most certainly did not prevail. Mincy was still extremely angry but he eventually made his way off of the floor, down the stairs and into the locker room.
Whatever it was that set him off must not have made any sense. For a college basketball coach to get tossed within the first five minutes is rare. For that coach to show great respect for the opponent and converse with the athletic director before exiting is truly unique.
Ricker-Gilbert will need to debrief after the game!