Walnut Creek, CA – Ed Rush has resigned as the officiating coordinator of the Pac-12 Conference following his controversial comments regarding Arizona men's basketball coach Sean Miller.
According to reports, Rush told officials during meetings before the Pac-12 Tournament that an extra $5,000 or a trip to Cancun would be the reward for calling a technical foul or ejecting Miller.
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said the league conducted an investigation into the allegations and determined that the comments were made in a joking manner.
Nevertheless, Rush has ended his tenure, effective immediately.
"My first and highest concerns have always been the integrity of the game of basketball and the honor of the craft of officiating," said Rush. "While I am proud of what we have accomplished, my decision to resign reflects my strong desire to see the Pac-12 officiating program continue to grow and thrive."
Rush, a former NBA official, has served as a consultant to the Pac-12 men's basketball officiating program since 2007 and was named the coordinator of officials in May 2012.
Following Rush's comments, Miller was hit with a controversial technical foul late in a loss to UCLA in the conference semifinals after arguing over a double-dribble call against Arizona's Mark Lyons. The Wildcats went on to drop a 66-64 decision.
In the postgame press conference, Miller said he never cursed at the officials and said he didn't berate them. He also said it was his first technical foul of the season.
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