UNC women’s basketball head coach Courtney Banghart found herself in hot water yesterday for comments made about NC State’s program. During a recent appearance on “British Tar Heel” George Harmer’s online show, Banghart was asked about the rivalries between the Tar Heels, Wolfpack and Duke Blue Devils.
“I hate both of them more than probably I should because I don’t have the history that everybody else has,” Banghart said. “Duke is a national and international rivalry that I love. NC State fans are so classless, I don’t even like going there, right? So, I don’t know. It’s a hard one.”
Banghart went on to say she respects Duke more for being more “relevant,” while simply stating NC State fans are “mean.”
Banghart’s comments, of course, caused a stir among Triangle fans. Harmer has since scrubbed the answer from his video of the interview, and Banghart issued an apology both through the UNC Women’s Basketball Twitter account and her own personal account.
“While intending to keep the competitive energy fueled between two passionate fan bases, I took it too far,” Banghart’s statement read. “I carelessly used the word ‘classless’ in reference to the passionate fans of NC State and I deeply regret my word choice.
“Everyone involved in my program, NC State’s program and the communities at both schools deserves better,” Banghart concluded. “And you will get it from me moving forward.”
Though UNC’s conference schedule for next season has not yet been revealed, the Tar Heels have traditionally played both NC State and Duke twice. The Wolfpack swept Carolina last season, and Banghart has a 2-4 record against them in her three seasons in Chapel Hill.
Featured image via Associated Press/Gerry Broome
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