McCarthy Reprimanded for Criticizing Officials

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico State basketball Coach Neil McCarthy was reprimanded Thursday by the school and Big West Conference for publicly criticizing game officials in the Aggies’ loss at Texas-El Paso on Dec. 4.

McCarthy already has apologized for making an obscene hand gesture after being ejected from the game.

“Coach McCarthy knows that his public comments regarding the officiating in the UTEP game were inappropriate and contrary to conference policy,” Big West Commissioner Dennis Farrell said in issuing the reprimand.

After the game, McCarthy accused officials of being biased toward UTEP. McCarthy singled out official Bill Gracey, whom McCarthy contended had missed a foul committed by UTEP point guard Jeff Spillar in the final seconds of the game.

“He’s a disgrace. He’s a liar,” the Las Cruces Sun News quoted McCarthy as saying. “He’s mean-spirited and biased. He shouldn’t be an official.”

Farrell said the conference has internal procedures that have to be followed in addressing concerns regarding game officiating.

“The public criticism of specific officials only undermines the credibility of basketball officiating in general,” Farrell said.

New Mexico State President J. Michael Orenduff, in a statement issued by the conference, said he agreed “completely with the actions of the conference.”

McCarthy declined comment Thursday on the reprimand.

McCarthy was assessed two technicals and ejected from the game by Gracey in the final seconds of New Mexico State’s 79-73 loss to the Miners. McCarthy was ejected after he disputed an intentional foul call on one of his players.

As McCarthy neared a tunnel leading to the locker rooms, he was caught on camera making an obscene hand gesture.