Handling of Officials

agree the only person that should talk with the officials is the head coach especially if he is in command of the outcome and responsible for winning andf losing. Coach CAmpbell

Assistant coaches who get out of hand can influence officials the other way if not careful. Coach CAmpbell

Coach Easton,

I agreed with you wholeheartedly. Hank Stram was the best coach with the game officials on game day. I believe Coach Joe Gibbs does a great job as well. I believe my sideline philosophy and conduct is an offspring of those two coaches and their staffs. I had a the opportunity to be an assistant coach with Lou Saban as well, and, yes, as seen on NFL Classic Game Highlights, he still coached the same in the late 1990's with his sideline mannerism. But what I gained and learned from him I also believe made me a better coach.

We have in our league rules that only the Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Defensive Coordinator are allowed to discuss any questioning of the rules or their interpretation. No assistant coaches, other than the aforementioned, and certainly no players can talk to the officials concerning questionable situations. We also have in our rules that I believe are in any rule book that if a questionable or unfavorable comment is addressed to an official by a coach or player the flag will be thrown for unsportsmanlike conduct - a bench penalty - and one that goes against the Head Coach. I have the rule that if a penalty thrown on the team for that type of behavior it will be the last time that the person that made it may be on my sidelines. The ruling is two bench misconduct penalties the Head coach must leave the sideline. In my 45 years of involvement with this great game of football (30 years of coaching), I had only two flags ever thrown on me - once as a player for holding (but there was a flag on the opposing team as well and so the penalties off-set) and twice as a coach - the first one because I made a comment to an game official about seeking the ruling of his call by calling the Commissioner of Officials to ask his interpretation. The other officials couldn't believe he threw the flag but that's sometimes how it goes. The second was when I was having a discussion during a break in the action with an official concerning his failure to call unsportsmanlike conduct because of the langauge being shouted by players on the other team, both on the field and on their sideline,(we have a rule that cursing each other by coaches, by officials, or by players will NOT be tolerated and will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty) and as I was remind him or informing of the ruling (I believe he did not attend the league officials' and coaches' meeting to hear it) one of my players said "That a way, Coach. Let him know the rules." Out came the flag and the warning that the next one on the bench I would be gone. Needless to say that the player was extremely apologetic and that 'we" were a little reserved in our comments for the rest of that night. Should have known it was going to be one of those nights with the officiating crew when the Head Referee came over to me before the start of the contest and as I was about to shake his hand he said- "Okay, Tell me what I don't know! The last coach here told me what I don't know now it's your turn!" Even though I was stunned and a little taken back, my reply was "I have nothing to say but have a good one!"

I believe that a honest and forthright communication between the Head Coach of each team and the Game Officials is essential for the best, safe and fair environment of the game. I also had a friend of mine whom I coached with for 10 years and now coach against in our league say - "I forgive but I don't forget!" Sometimes I remind myself of that statement dealing with some officials.

trail blazer- I got run one night when a DE tackled my TE when he was about 8 yds. down the field and the ball had not even been thrown yet! I called the white hat over, as it was a crucial call in the game.
I politely said: Mr white hat, did you not see that guy tackle my designated receiver on that play even before the ball was thrown? (Even the opposing coach looked over and made a jesture of "what a lousy no call). The white hat says to me: Are you questioning my call, coach? I said no sir, I'm questioning your NO CALL. He jumps back like I had said something terrible to him and screams and gestures "your out of here"! I was incredulous and asked him; are you running me? He says, yes, your gone! I said : OK, fat boy, I'm really going to tell you what I think now and I didn't hold back! ( I was not an ordained minister then, either!) hehehe Moral of the story? Did it gain me one good thing? No, of course not with the exception of self satisfaction which did not change his decision one iota. But, you learn to change your attitude with experience, at least I did. Thanks for your post. Where do you coach?

Coach Easton

Coach Campbell,

That's the way it works on the staff I am own, but I got flagged this past season while I was talking to our DB's coach in the booth. I wasn't even talking about officiating, I was discussing strategy for the next play if our opponent made the first down. My HC was mad as hell at the official for it, but it didn't do any good. We still got flagged 15 yards.

I have also been told by an official that I needed to shut up, this while I was yelling instructions to my D linemen on the field. Needless to say, my HC heard him and blasted the guy and wrote him up to the state association. We never had that guy again the rest of the year.

Some officials just want to flag coaches, and I am glad I have a HC who will stick up for us.

We have lost calls in the past because some of our assistants have barked a little too much at the officials.

Personally, I NEVER yell at officials. Most of these men have forgotten more football than I will ever know. Also, they don't get paid much. A crew up in my neck of the woods is lucky to get $60-$75 for working 2 games. After figuring in driving time, that is really not much. These guys do it because the really love high school football.

IMO, far more games have been lost due to turnovers, poor execution, and poor playcalling then due to poor officiating.