Women's basketball coach Jeff Walz is serving a one game suspension during the 2019 NCAA Tournament after he complained about officiating in the Cards' overtime loss in the 2018 Final Four. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Cardinals are starting their NCAA Tournament run without one major person: their head coach Jeff Walz. The one-seeded Cards will be without Walz for one postseason game after Walz was suspended for complaining about officiating during the team's 2018 Final Four overtime loss. The NCAA said Walz directed inappropriate comments and profane language towards committee members and NCAA staff seated at the scorer’s table during the game. Walz's Women's Final Four per diem allowance was also withheld. “In the national semifinal game, I used some inappropriate language as I expressed my frustration toward the scorer’s table about the officiating," Walz said in response to the suspension. "I realize that these comments are not acceptable, did not represent the University of Louisville in the best light, and I apologize for my actions." The coach laughed about the suspension during a press conference before Louisville's first round game against Robert Morris, saying he'd have to find a good brunch spot to watch.<doc-sep>Walz is in his 12th year as UofL women's head coach. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville women's basketball Coach Jeff Walz is heading to Albany for the Sweet Sixteen, but what are his plans after that? Gene Henley, a writer covering Tennessee Athletics for the Times Free Press in Chattanooga, posted a tweet citing a source within the University of Louisville Athletic Department saying, “Louisville is prepared to lose women's basketball coach Jeff Walz to Tennessee at the end of the season.” Walz is in his 12th year as the Cardinals' head coach. Under his leadership, the team has 330 wins, they have made it to the Final Four three times and have made two championship game appearances. But he has not cut down the nets in the tournament yet. This is not the first time Coach Walz has been tied to the Tennessee job. In the past few years, there have been rumors about Tennessee's interest in him. Jeff Walz said during a press conference on March 27 he’s not even worrying about the Tennessee job as the job isn’t even open, however the school has reportedly parted ways with coach Holly Warlick as of Wednesday afternoon. University of Louisville athletic director Vince Tyra released a statement to WHAS11 News late Tuesday.<doc-sep>Is UofL coach Jeff Walz headed to Tennessee? The job is now open The University of Louisville women's basketball team has its sights set on the Sweet 16, but their coach might have bigger things on his plate.Rumors have been swirling that after the tournament run, coach Jeff Walz be taking a head coaching job in Tennessee. Several media outlets asked him about it at Wednesday's news conference and he said, "The job's not open. "Well, it wasn't then, anyways.ESPN reported later that Tennessee's head coach Holly Warlick was "relieved of her duties. "Warlick has been the coach there for seven seasons.With her out, that leaves the spot wide open for Walz, but we won't hear a decision either way before Louisville's run is over.The Lady Cards play Oregon State Friday at 9:30 p.m. The University of Louisville women's basketball team has its sights set on the Sweet 16, but their coach might have bigger things on his plate. Rumors have been swirling that after the tournament run, coach Jeff Walz be taking a head coaching job in Tennessee. Several media outlets asked him about it at Wednesday's news conference and he said, "The job's not open." Advertisement Well, it wasn't then, anyways. ESPN reported later that Tennessee's head coach Holly Warlick was "relieved of her duties." Warlick has been the coach there for seven seasons. With her out, that leaves the spot wide open for Walz, but we won't hear a decision either way before Louisville's run is over. The Lady Cards play Oregon State Friday at 9:30 p.m.<doc-sep>Jeff Walz watched the Cardinals win their first-round game from across the street. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) The nationally ranked No. 5 Louisville Cardinals started the 2019 NCAA women’s tournament the way everyone thought they would, even given a hiccup hanging over the program for a year. The top-seeded team in a stacked Albany region took care of No. 16 seed Robert Morris, 69-34, at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville while suspended head coach Jeff Walz ate brunch at a nearby bar. Walz suspended from 2019 tournament The NCAA announced last May the 12th-year Louisville coach was suspended for one postseason game for his actions in the Cardinals’ Final Four loss to Mississippi State. “Specifically, Walz directed inappropriate comments and profane language toward committee members and NCAA staff seated at the scorer’s table,” the NCAA wrote in its statement. The biggest transgression came with minutes remaining. The Cardinals’ Sam Fuehring was called for a foul she didn’t agree with in a rebounding battle with center Teaira McCowan. She slapped the floor in frustration and referees gave her a technical. It sent Walz screaming down the sideline. Walz prepared for the absence by having longtime associate head coach Stephanie Norman lead the Cardinals earlier this season during a non-conference game as a walkthrough, per the Louisville Courier Journal. Brunching with the Cardinals Norman coached the team Friday while Walz ate brunch at the Sidebar restaurant across the street from the stadium. He seemed to take it in stride. Walz took in the game with Scott Davenport, a Louisville native and former Cardinals men’s basketball assistant under Rick Pitino. He currently coaches the men’s basketball team at Division II Ballarmine University. Story continues . @CoachJeffWalz is at Side Bar watching his team play. Scotty Davenport is in the house too. pic.twitter.com/qAMD3NZ6iY — Chris Sutter (@chrissutter) March 22, 2019 He even called in to the live radio broadcast to give some in-game analysis, and when all was done, he enjoyed the victory. Celebrated the win with a mint chocolate chip shake!!! pic.twitter.com/oo6FMHljlD — Jeff Walz (@CoachJeffWalz) March 22, 2019 Some fans brought fatheads so Walz could be there in some way. Others mentioned leaving the game early to watch with the coach from the bar and others found themselves with local royalty on a Friday afternoon. First step to Albany Louisville (30-3) got 19 points each from Asia Durr and Fuehring, who staked the Cardinals to a 32-4 lead early in the first. The defense held Robert Morris scoreless for almost 15 minutes. They’ll play either No. 8 Michigan or No. 9 Kansas in the second round, again back at Yum! Center and this time with Walz in the arena instead of next door. Walz is already back at work in the arena. His suspension having concluded, Coach Jeff Walz has been allowed back out of the dog house to scout Michigan v Kansas State. pic.twitter.com/RRYi0nJ9qf — Roommate Tom Farmer (@roommatetom) March 22, 2019 UConn is on the other side of the regional bracket as the No. 2 seed for the first time in a dozen years, creating a potentially tough final in Albany before Louisville can get back to the Final Four. More from Yahoo Sports:<doc-sep>
This is not the first time Coach Walz has been tied to the Tennessee job. In the past few years, there have been rumors about Tennessee's interest in him. Louisville women's basketball Coach Jeff Walz is heading to Albany for the Sweet Sixteen, but what are his plans after that? Gene Henley, a writer covering Tennessee Athletics for the Times Free Press in Chattanooga, posted a tweet Tuesday citing a source within the University of Louisville Athletic Department saying, “Louisville is prepared to lose women's basketball coach Jeff Walz to Tennessee at the end of the season.” Walz is in his 12th year as the Cardinals' head coach. Under his leadership, the team has 330 wins, they have made it to the Final Four three times and have made two championship game appearances. But he has not cut down the nets in the tournament yet. In his press conference on Wednesday morning, which took place before UT announced it was parting ways with Warlick, Walz shut down any talk about him considering another job. He never mentioned Tennessee by name, but it was clear that he was referencing those reports. "I know all these rumors always get started in March. Every single year. It never changed and it's not going to change. This job, that job," he said. "The job's not open, OK? So I'm not even going to worry about that." He went even further in a conversation with the Courier Journal, saying, "I think it is a slap in Holly's face." This is not the first time Coach Walz has been tied to the Tennessee job. In the past few years, there have been rumors about Tennessee's interest in him. University of Louisville athletic director Vince Tyra released a statement to late Tuesday. "For now, we're focused on Oregon State on Friday night. We're incredibly proud of Jeff's accomplishments, including last year's Final Four appearance. Following last season we rewarded Jeff with a contract extension that we anticipate him fulfilling."