SLW / SLI

[JasonTX]

1st Qtr:  Team A (Home Team) is flagged for a Sideline Warning.

2nd Qtr:  1st and 10 at the A-20.  A running play up the middle goes 80 yards for an apparent TD for the home team.  During the play the H has to run around some home team coaches near the A-30 in the restricted area and drops a flag (assume 5 yard penalty for SLI).  The S on the same play, as he is backpedaling runs into home team coaches who were further downfield around the B-30 in the restricted area and drops his flag as well.

Ruling:

[ElvisLives]

Firstly, the warning/5 for delay/5 for delay/15 UNS process if for team personnel simply being in the restricted area (or on the field) while the ball is in play or in the continuing action after the ball has become dead. This would be without contacting or disturbing an official in any way. (Obviously, this does not include "players," as defined by rule.) First instance: Sideline Warning - S15 only. Second and Third instances: Delay - S21 plus Sideline Interference - S29. Fourth (or more) instance: UNS - S27 plus Sideline Interference - S29.
 
Secondly, if an official has physical contact with, or has to do something to avoid contact with, team personnel in the restricted area (or on the field), this is a 15-yard UNS foul - no warnings or "minor" penalties before the "big one." (Again, obviously, this does not include "players," as defined by rule.) UNS - S27. The penalty statement does not include Sideline Interference - S29, but no one will fire you if you use it, too. It will help everyone know what happened. They may not like it, but they'll know.

In the instance described, the two flags should be combined into a single UNS penalty. They'll get the message. Of course, that will be after the obligatory, "We were behind the play!" Or, "That's just a warning!"
Nope. Flag it for what it is - UNS.

[JasonTX]

Considering the 1st qtr we used up the warning, the flag the H had we went with the 5 yard penalty, and for the S, since his involved contact we went with 15 yards but we treated these separately.  Both were penalized, at the option of the opposing team, on the succeeding free kick.  The coach thanked us for doing it as he said he'd been trying to keep everyone back and he was hopeful that would send a message.

[ElvisLives]

If your H had to run around folks in the restricted area, or on the field, that is interference. No if’s, ands, or buts. No contact required. UNS. Now. With or without any previous warnings or fouls.
We have the philosophy that when we have multiple participants committing UNS fouls in the same general point in time/sequence of events, they are all combined into a single 15 yard penalty. Example: A88 scores a TD and spikes the ball, while two teammates run and jump up into the stands in celebration. All of their actions are treated as a single distance penalty, but they each get a UNS on their counter.
Same thing here. Both of those encounters should be UNS fouls, and they occurred in the same general sequence of events, so just one 15 yard penalty. For these specific UNS fouls, though, no one gets anything on their counter, by rule.

If this was an FCS or other NCAA game, you should discuss this with your coordinator. I truly believe every NCAA coordinator would want these to be combined into a single 15 yard penalty.

[bossman72]

Considering the 1st qtr we used up the warning, the flag the H had we went with the 5 yard penalty, and for the S, since his involved contact we went with 15 yards but we treated these separately.  Both were penalized, at the option of the opposing team, on the succeeding free kick.  The coach thanked us for doing it as he said he'd been trying to keep everyone back and he was hopeful that would send a message.

I personally wouldn't be sad with just enforcing the 15, but I think have to do both here... because then the question comes up "Why were there 2 flags? What was the other flag for?" when they see it on film or when you go to get the choice from the opposing coach.