Duke Coach Reports Staff Assaults During Chaotic Court Storming at North Carolina

2026-02-08 general

Chapel Hill, Sunday, 8 February 2026.
Amid the celebration of UNC’s victory, Coach Scheyer revealed staff members were punched in the face, highlighting critical lapses in crowd control and safety protocols.

Post-Game Chaos at the Dean E. Smith Center

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, the 14th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels secured a 71-68 victory over the 4th-ranked Duke Blue Devils following a decisive 3-pointer by Seth Trimble with just 0.4 seconds remaining on the clock [1][7]. However, the narrative of the game quickly shifted from the upset win to serious security concerns after Duke head coach Jon Scheyer reported that members of his staff were physically assaulted during the subsequent celebration [1]. Scheyer stated unequivocally that staff members “got punched in the face” and detailed a chaotic scene where his family was forced to push fans away to avoid being trampled [1][7]. The disorder was exacerbated by a “double storm” scenario: fans initially rushed the court believing the game had concluded, only to be cleared for the final fraction of a second before storming the floor a second time once the clock officially hit zero [2][7].

Liability and Administrative Response

North Carolina Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham issued an immediate apology to Scheyer and his family, acknowledging that “a number of people got knocked over” during the incident [2][7]. Cunningham confirmed that the university intends to review video replays to determine exactly what occurred and identify the individuals involved in the alleged assaults [1][7]. Beyond the immediate safety risks, this breach of security carries potential financial implications for the university. In 2026, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) implemented strict fines for court and field storming, with penalties ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 per offense [2]. This regulatory framework places North Carolina at risk of significant sanctions as the conference reviews the failure to protect visiting personnel [2][5].

Balancing Tradition with Safety

This violent episode is not an isolated event in the rivalry; it mirrors a February 2024 incident where Duke star Kyle Filipowski was injured following a collision with a fan during a court storming at Wake Forest [1][7]. Despite the physical danger posed to his team and family on Saturday, Scheyer maintained a nuanced position regarding the tradition of court storming. Speaking on February 7, 2026, he clarified that he does not believe the practice should be banned, stating, “They won. They should celebrate,” but emphasized that venue security must ensure that players and staff can exit the floor without facing physical aggression or entrapment [1][7]. The incident at the Dean E. Smith Center—the first court storming at the venue since 2014—highlights the ongoing struggle universities face in balancing fan engagement with strict liability and safety protocols [5].

Sources

Venue Security Risk Management