Florida Gulf Coast is not mad at USC for stealing their basketball coach, but they are upset with the Trojans for hijacking the “Dunk City” nickname.
USC announced on Monday night that they hired Andy Enfield as their new basketball coach. Enfield was with Florida Gulf Coast for two seasons, and he led the Eagles to a stunning Sweet 16 run during the NCAA tournament. The team’s exciting, dunk-filled style endeared them to fans across the nation, and it led to the program receiving the “Dunk City” nickname.
After hiring Enfield, USC began promoting the “Dunk City USC” name:
OFFICIAL: Please welcome Andy Enfield (@coachenfield) to the #TrojanFamily as the new head coach of @usc_hoops. #DunkCityUSC
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) April 2, 2013
Many of the athletic department’s basketball-related tweets Tuesday included the hashtag “#DunkCityUSC”.
That’s not going over well with FGCU.
“There’s only one Dunk City USA. It’s here in Southwest Florida,” FGCU athletic director Ken Kavanagh said Tuesday, via USA Today. “I think it’s totally inappropriate for USC to do that. We would not copy somebody else’s well-earned scenario, and I will be sure to let USC know that.”
Enfield said at his introductory press conference Tuesday that the matter would be handled. USC’s athletic department tried addressing the matter via Twitter.
To the @fgcu_mbb players/fans, our use of #DunkCityUSC refers to @coachenfield‘s style of play not a new moniker for @usc_hoops.
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) April 2, 2013
In addition with squabbling with USC over the name, FGCU will also have to fight with the parent of one of the school’s students who recently filed to trademark the phrase.
I could be alone here, but once Enfield left, didn’t he take “Dunk City” with him? Is that not a coaching style thing?
Photo credit: Twitter/FGCU_MBB
