When is enough, enough?

[HOULJ]

How do you handle out of control head coaches on the sideline?

How much venting do you let them do?

What crosses the line for you?

[TexDoc]

We need to start penalizing them for out of control, over the line behavior.  If we all have the fortitude to do this, it may get better. 

We had a HC Friday night come out to about the 18 yard line to protest a call almost to the numbers.  When he sent his concerns into the chapter via Hudl, he wanted to know why he was penalized since he didn’t curse.

[ElvisLives]

How do you handle out of control head coaches on the sideline?

How much venting do you let them do?

What crosses the line for you?

If they are truly off the field, and aren't call me a name or questioning my integrity, best just to ignore them.  Responding only gives them reason to release more ignorant ranting.  They'll get tired of ranting, and start throwing low-volume insults ("You KNOW that was a horrible spot.  You know it.")  Just keep ignoring.  They'll eventually move on.  But, get on the field protesting, FLAG CITY.  Say something like, "You're an idiot."  That's FLAG CITY.  "You're cheating us!"  That's FLAG CITY.  "You don't know what you're doing!"  "That was a horrible call."  "They did the same thing and you didn't call it." Those kinds of things - off the sideline - let 'em go.
Obviously, any physical contact, spittle, etc., by him - FLAG CITY and DQ. Something thrown at you - FLAG CITY and DQ.

Hope these situations are few and far between.

Robert

[TxSkyBolt]

How do you handle out of control head coaches on the sideline?

How much venting do you let them do?

What crosses the line for you?

What Robbert said. We jokingly refer to the coaching box as the hollering zone. They can holler all they want from there but Come onto the field and do that you are subject to being flagged.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[AlUpstateNY]

For what it's worth, some practical advise a veteran provided, that really works;  The 1st (and only the 1st) time a coach comes out onto the field to complain, walk directly to the coach, stop momentarily & say NOTHING, then continue to the sideline and WAIT (as long as it takes) for the coach to come to you, before saying anything. 

Before addressing whatever is bothering him, sternly remind him, he is NOT Allowed on the field unless INVITED, and should he want to talk to you, all that's necessary is passing that request on to his Wing official, and you'll join him on the sideline to address his concerns.  No Flag, unless something comes up during the ensuing discussion to merit one.

I've never had a second incident of bursting onto the field, but if so, an immediate flag (to start) would be appropriate.

[centexsports]

   i don't like  flagging coaches.  I haven't except one 8th grade coach about 6 years ago.   I will not accept personal attacks or derogatory comments about me or my crew.   The last one I had that said too much is now an assistant at Baylor.   I stopped the game in the third quarter and asked him to come over to me away from the other coaches.  He balked and I told him the game would not start again until we talked.   When he arrived, I told him that if he called me or my crew a HOMER again, he would find a flag very near him.  After I announced the foul, I would then drop the flag again at his feet.  Then we would both meet in Austin the following week.   

I didn't hear another word from him the rest of the game.  My experience has been that if I take the coach aside and let him know that enough is enough it will stop.   I am sure that there are exceptions but it has worked for me.   

[pookie]

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[ElvisLives]

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I agree.  Period.

 

[CenTexZebra]

Out of control coaches will continue to be an issue as long as they have the final say, the scratch!  Our chapter will not flag a coach no matter what he does, on the field, cursing or whatever, because they know he will scratch them and almost all officials in our chapter are afraid of that. I know this from personal experience just 2 weeks ago and my crew got scratched. HC went over the line and got a flag for UNS. He continued yelling and threatening to scratch, really making a butt of himself. He got his 2nd one and got to go home early. Now here we go in to the playoffs and all of a sudden no schools want to use my crew because of this happened. Makes me wonder just how, all of a sudden, every coach in our area knows the "details" of what happened.

[JasonTX]

Out of control coaches will continue to be an issue as long as they have the final say, the scratch!  Our chapter will not flag a coach no matter what he does, on the field, cursing or whatever, because they know he will scratch them and almost all officials in our chapter are afraid of that. I know this from personal experience just 2 weeks ago and my crew got scratched. HC went over the line and got a flag for UNS. He continued yelling and threatening to scratch, really making a butt of himself. He got his 2nd one and got to go home early. Now here we go in to the playoffs and all of a sudden no schools want to use my crew because of this happened. Makes me wonder just how, all of a sudden, every coach in our area knows the "details" of what happened.

My suggestion to everyone,  don't officiate for the playoffs,  officiate what is right and let the chips fall wherever.   They can't scratch us all.  We had a coach get flagged for UNS and the next day he sent an email saying that was the best crew he has ever had.  Maybe it was because they had the courage to flag him when he knew he deserved it.

[TexDoc]

Out of control coaches will continue to be an issue as long as they have the final say, the scratch!  Our chapter will not flag a coach no matter what he does, on the field, cursing or whatever, because they know he will scratch them and almost all officials in our chapter are afraid of that. I know this from personal experience just 2 weeks ago and my crew got scratched. HC went over the line and got a flag for UNS. He continued yelling and threatening to scratch, really making a butt of himself. He got his 2nd one and got to go home early. Now here we go in to the playoffs and all of a sudden no schools want to use my crew because of this happened. Makes me wonder just how, all of a sudden, every coach in our area knows the "details" of what happened.

No doubt about it, they talk and will boycott a crew that coaches tell one another not to use. 

[Joe Stack]

Had a coach come on the field last night (halfway to the numbers) and scream at me. Told him twice to get back. TRIED to tell him I'd be over there to explain at the next opportunity but he kept yelling. After he didn't get back, flag came out. Its only my second flag on a varsity head coach that I can remember (one last year). They aren't going to berate or scream at me, and they certainly aren't going to do it on the field, nor are they going to do it continuously and after a warning.

[TexDoc]

Friday night playoff game, coach was out on the field during an injury, not far, but the wing official came in and said that coach would like to speak to me.  I knew he wanted to complain about how many fouls were called on them and not on the other team, so I told the wing to tell the HC that if wanted to speak to me he could call a TO.  Not what I usually do, but didn't want to hear the bitching.  The next time he called TO he called me over and said, so I have to call a TO to talk to you?  My words, "coach, if you want to chew a piece of my BUTT about how many calls we've had on your team and not talk about a rules issue, you're going to have to buy it."  He just smiled.  Convo was over. 

[ElvisLives]

Almost identical conversation with a coach a few weeks ago.  I had already talked to him twice, just to listen to him complain about the number of fouls on his team versus the opponent.  Those were “on the house.”  Now, in the 3rd period, as the opponent’s try was ending, I could hear him hollering my name from the home sideline behind me.  I ignored him and hustled to my pylon (opposite side of field🙂), like I didn’t hear him.  After I got to my pylon, I see my L signaling T/O, and that the coach wants to talk to me.  OK, he took a T/O, so I am obliged to go talk.  When I get there, he starts into the same argument as the previous two visits.  So I interrupt him and ask, “Have you got anything different? Do you you have anything different? If you don’t have anything different, good bye.”  And hustled back to my position.  Not another word from him the rest of the game.
Just because he takes a time out doesn’t mean we have to stand there and listen to them rant. If they have a legitimate question or complaint about the application of a rule (or even an intelligent comment about a specific judgment call), OK, we’ll have a conversation.  But ranting about the ratio of fouls is neither a legitimate question, nor an intelligent comment).

We have a playoff game this week.  He doesn’t.

Robert

[AlUpstateNY]

Unfortunately not 100% effective, but suggestions that have proven to be helpful;

1. Coach out on the field yelling (Initial incident only):  Go to the coach, on the field.  Stop, look at his face for 1 second, then continue moving to the sideline where you stop and wait for him to come to you. Patience is a virtue, so wait him out as long as possible.  When your patients wears out, if necessary, then beckon him.  When he arrives BEFORE he says anything (or stop him if he comes talking) and as politely as possible explain calmly, "When ever you need my assistance, simply inform your wing official, who will alert me and I will come to you on this sideline. NEVER come out on this field without permission, or you'll force me to do something I don't like doing."  Then simply ask, "How can I help you?".

If he raises his voice, gestures (or other theatrical nonsense) stop the conversation, and again as calmly and professionally as possible, advise him there is need for shouting or theatrics, and none will be tolerated.

2. It's always a good practice to keep the conversation between you and the Coach (ONLY), although having a crew member close enough to "witness" the discussion may prove valuable if a game report becomes necessary. (More than likely Asst. Coaches and/or players may be in the vicinity - BUT they are NEVER allowed to participate, unless YOU invite them to).

YOUR decision (or that of your crew member you agree with) is ALWAYS final, (subject to YOUR reconsideration) although it's appropriate for you to listen to and evaluate any relevant, additional information provide by the Head Coach.  Explanations as to why your decision should remain, can be helpful in reducing confusion and calming the situation, but according to rule YOUR decision is ABSOLUTE & FINAL.(pending whatever post-game review may be available in your area).

Coaches are REQUIRED to RESPECTFULLY accept and abide by your decisions (whether they agree with them, or not). If necessary, "Please don't force me to do something I don't like doing", may be a helpful and worthwhile, gentle reminder to avoid further distractions.

 

[paul.e.smith]

Our VAS, who does NCAA games says.
Questions deserve a response.
Statements deserve silence..

[TexDoc]

Our VAS, who does NCAA games says.
Questions deserve a response.
Statements deserve silence..

I'll agree but add, rhetorical question deserve silence as well. 

[JasonTX]

I worked a game a couple weeks ago and we knew going into the game that the coach for one of the teams was notorious for being a total jerk towards officials and quite frankly has never had anything positive to say about our chapter over the past few years.  For some reason I find myself wanting to work for these types.  Probably because I'm a jarhead and don't mind conflict.  My HL is an Army Ranger so the two of us seem to enjoy it.  For me I enjoy the challenge of trying to "change" these coaches.  My HL is an over communicator.  If a mosquito bites a player on the other team he's going to relay that information to his coach.  I made the coach well aware of his over communication in the pregame and I used those exact words, "over communicator".  The coach was intense during the game but not overboard.  He yelled once about an ineligible downfield.  Supposedly he was 20 yard downfield (film showed 4 1/2 yards). He didn't like an ISH we called but the H got him to be silent when he told him 3 officials did not agree with his view of it being wrong.   With every call we made regardless of who it was on or how simple of a call it was, the H was right next to the coach communicating it.  As the game was nearing the end the coach went up to H and put his arm on around him and told him that the crew did a great job and that he appreciated us.  My H responded, "Coach, you are one intense dude but I like it."  Coach said, "Thanks, I do get a little bit loud and fired up.", and the H responded, "Well you're actually a DI_K, but I mean that in a complimentary way."  I kid you not, the coach took it and was very appreciative.  The next day I get an email from the coach and it was nothing but praises to us and he admitted that in the past he wouldn't have said such things and that he would be glad to use us in the future.

[bctgp]

While it is fortunate that you had a positive outcome. I tend to be more on the silence can never be misquoted side. That does not mean we are statues and never say anything to coaches. But over-communicating can be an issue just as much as never communicating - in general - in my humble opinion.  However, I would never tell a Coach he was a D*CK, even if he earned it.

[JasonTX]

However, I would never tell a Coach he was a D*CK, even if he earned it.

By then were "drinking buddies" and he had a good rapport with him and knew it would be taken as a joke.

[TampaSteve]

I'm late to the dance here but here's my $0.02 as passed down to me from guys in college and a U from the NFL...

In general, they can hoot and holler all they want, but once they say a key word, they've crossed the line and it's a personal attack.
"You"
i.e.
that was a terrible call......that's bull hockey......etc....they're just venting
vs
*You're bull hockey - now it's personal.
*You made a terrible call. - now it's personal.

Give them a chance to 'hang themselves by repeating it, "..what'd ya say coach?"....and if they're not smart enough to hold back, then flag em.

For what it's worth, a few years back - maybe 2016, I remember ncaa saying they'll crack down on these lunatic coaches (i.e. the guy from clemson, the guy from michigan are examples), but I really haven't noticed any change.

Cussing:
With the guidelines above, there's probably cussing at times. My personal way with dealing with cussing is (as taught to me):
Generally I dont mins cussing. I dont myself very much, but if I hear it, I'm not too bothered, but "if a guy is cussing on the sidelines, that's one thing, but if he's loud enough where the County/State AD of sports who may be at the game & could hear it in the stands, then you have to flag it."

With all this, any allegation of cheating, or integrity and it's an immediate flag. No questions asked. - round these parts it aint tolerated...


Just my take fellas, whether we agree/disagree or have no opinion...
Cheers.

[dammitbobby]

Agree with the above, but I'd add in if he's cussing, I mean really foul-mouthing his own players, I'd consider throwing a hankie for that as well.

[Etref]

Had a coach once on me all night complaining about calls. They were on offense and U had a hold. Coach is screaming ” that’s a terrible call” I never looked around but said “ I agree, I would have called a draw play”. He started laughing and walked off, never had another word.

[ilyazhito]

Junior College game. I'm the Field Judge, and this happens in the 1st half (on the visiting team's sideline). Ball is snapped at about the 8 yard line. There is pass interference in the end zone as defensive back #8 hooks and turns a receiver. Pass lands just beyond the end zone. Coach comes out onto the field and yells "That's uncatchable!" The Referee approaches him and tells him to get off the field. I look at him and motion to the coach to get off the field. He yells at me "That's a HORSE FEATHERS call!" I flag him for UNS. I report the DPI and UNS fouls, and say "Coach was on the field, and disputed my call using profanity.". We enforce both penalties, it's now 1st and goal for the home team from  the 1. Home team eventually blows out the visitors. Later in the game, I overhear a home player calling a visiting player a FEMALE PART. I tell him "You can't say that!" He responds "F### you too!"  . This is one of only two times that I have had to give a coach an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for his actions. 

[TampaSteve]

my 2 most favorite quips back to Coaches I've heard:

One:
C: you're missing a good game.
LJ: yeah, I know, I got assigned to this one.

Two:
C: (general complaining, then..) when I was a Capt in the Army.....
LJ: (about face, toe-to-toe) I a retired MGySgt (E9) in the Marine Corps. I out-rank you, so dont try and pull rank on me. I salute Birds and Stars."
...C waslks away.....