Iowa coach Fran McCaffery apologizes for outburst

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery lights into an official during the team's loss to Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery apologized for his behavior during the second half of the Hawkeyes' 75-71 loss to Wisconsin on Sunday.

During a media time out with under 12 minutes to go in the game, McCaffery started arguing with the officials about a series of calls and had to be held back by his assistant coaches.

McCaffery was given a technical foul, and then approached an official, bumped into him. He kept yelling, was give a second technical and an automatic ejection.

Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said McCaffery's actions "crossed a line of acceptable behavior and accepts responsibility for his actions."

VIDEO: Iowa coach Fran McCaffery bumps an official and gets tossed

“I want to apologize for my emotional reaction during Sunday night’s game at Wisconsin. I have great passion and respect for the game of basketball and everyone involved in it,” McCaffery said, via CBSSports.com. “I regret that my actions put our program and the University of Iowa in a negative light. I look forward to working with my staff and my players to move forward and compete for a championship.”