Texas' Rodney Terry Apologizes for Confronting UCF Players Over 'Horns Down' Gestures | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Texas men's basketball head coach Rodney Terry apologized on Saturday for confronting UCF players for giving the team a "horns down" gesture during a 77-71 loss.

"We have a lot of passion for who we are and what we are representing. We try to do that in a class manner, at the highest level," Terry said, via the Associated Press (via ESPN). "If I offended some of our fans as well in not handling myself in the right way ... I apologize to our fan base as well, and understand what it means to be the head coach at the University of Texas and what our brand stands for."

He was seen reprimanding UCF players in the handshake line following the defeat on Wednesday, calling the hand sign "classless."

Tyler Feldman @TylerFeldmanTV

Not sure what was said or happened, but here's <a href="">#Texas</a> head coach Rodney Terry telling some <a href="">#UCF</a> players in the handshake line, "That's classless. Don't do that shit." <a href="">#HookEm</a> <a href="">

He doubled down on his stance immediately after the game, reiterating his belief that the hand signal was "classless."

Tyler Feldman @TylerFeldmanTV

Here's what <a href="">#Texas</a> head coach Rodney said happened in the handshake line with <a href="">#UCF</a>:<br><br>"About 6 or 7 guys putting the horns down. We don't do that because when you do those kinds of things, it looks very classless."<a href="">#HookEm</a> | <a href="">@KVUE</a> <a href="">

"You don't go through the handshake line, or prior to getting to the handshake line, and have about six or seven guys putting the horns down," said Terry. "We don't do that because when you do those kinds of things, it looks very classless and it also looks like you were just hoping to win."

The gesture has been utilized by rivals of the Longhorns for several years, as fans and athletes at Texas have used the "Hook 'Em Horns" hand signal to celebrate big plays during games.

Terry's group responded to the loss by upsetting No. 9 Baylor, narrowly winning 75-73 on Saturday. With the score tied and roughly five seconds remaining in the second half, Junior guard Tyrese Hunter was able to connect on a game-winning layup just before time expired.

Texas Men's Basketball @TexasMBB

HERE COMES HUNTER 😤🤘<a href="">#HookEm</a> | <a href="">@hunter_tyrese</a> <a href="">

Texas moved to 13-5 following the victory, snapping a brief two-game losing streak. Although Terry was impressed with his team's performance, he attempted to make amends with UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins.

"He has a good program and they're having a good year," he said (via ESPN). "Personally, if I offended him or his program, or anyone for that matter, that was not my intention."

The Longhorns' next matchup will come against No. 15 Oklahoma on Tuesday, with tip-off at 7 p.m. ET.