Sports

Connecticut Basketball Coach Blasts Conference Rival With Vicious Direct Shot After Heated Altercation

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Quinnipiac Manhattan Basketball Coach Tom Pecora John Gallagher Fight
ESPN

Both head coaches were ejected during the recent college basketball game between Quinnipiac and Manhattan. Tom Pecora did not mince his words when it comes John Gallagher.

He does not like him.

The 67-year-old New Yorker took the most direct shot at his college basketball opponent. They will next play each other in Hamden on Jan. 19.

Quinnipiac and Manhattan got after it.

An altercation between the Bobcats and the Jaspers appeared to stem from a hard foul during the second half. It took place under the basket on a layup.

Pecora and Gallagher met at center court just a few moments later. The former gave the latter a piece of his mind. The latter barked right back at the former. They had to be separated by their own players and assistant coaches, as well as the officials, which only caused things to escalate further.

There was some pushing and shoving. There was a lot of yelling.

Both coaches were ejected from the contest. Manhattan ultimately defeated Quinnipiac by one.

The MAAC issued a formal reprimands for both coaches, but no further or escalating consequences.

“The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has issued formal reprimands to Quinnipiac Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Pecora and Manhattan Head Men’s Basketball Coach John Gallagher for conduct that violated the Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy during the Quinnipiac vs. Manhattan men’s basketball game on Friday, January 2, 2026.

“Both head coaches were ejected with 5:00 remaining in the second half. The Conference considers this matter resolved and will have no further comment.”

Fair enough. Moving on.

Tom Pecora does not like John Gallagher.

It initially appeared as though the altercation between the two head coaches stemmed from the hard foul. That may still be the case.

However, Pecora seemed to hint at poor behavior by Gallagher. The head coach at Quinnipiac claims the head coach at Manhattan has “a long history of behaving like that.” Whatever that means, it doesn’t sound like a good thing. Something obviously happened that set him off.

Tom Pecora did not explain further why he was frustrated with John Gallagher or what he did to ignite the altercation. It doesn’t matter.

The Bobcats will host the Jaspers in Hamden later this month. Get your popcorn ready because it’s going to be spicy! There is no love lost between these two coaches, clearly.