[Rich]

Originally posted by MN BB Ref
Coaches will say the darndest things. On Friday night we had a varsity game in which the home team was ahead by 19 points with about 3 minutes remaining in the game. The home team was on defense and the visitors were trying in vain to pass themselves back into the game at which point B intercepts the ball. Unfortunately B was also guilty of defensive holding prior to the pass and A accepted the penalty, thus keeping possession of the ball. On the next play A throws a long pass down field and two B defenders go up with the A receiver. All three collide in the air and come down in a heap. Upon landing one of the B defenders breaks his leg...a really nasty break too.

The BJ immediately calls for an official's TO and signals for the B coach and medical staff. On his way out on the field, the B coach turns to we officials and tells us "This is your fault! If you hadn't called that defensive holding penalty this never would've happened." To say we were flabbergasted by this statement is and understatement. After a nearly 15 minute delay while they player is being attended to medically and taken off the field on a stretcher, we finally resumed the game and it finished with the home team winning by 19. On our way off the field, we are confronted by two more assistant coaches from the home team and they repeat the same thing the head coach said to us. I guess they never stopped for a minute to reflect that it was their decision to leave this player in the game with a 19 point lead.

Besides that, this was the whiniest bunch of coaches I've ever worked with. I was working the LJ position so I had the "pleasure" of sharing a sideline with them. I kid you not, they begged for a penalty on EVERY single play all night long. Funny, never once were the penalties they asked for on their own team. I've often felt tempted to tell them that the only way I'll listen to their requests is if they are equitable in assigning them to each team 50-50.

This has to be the dumbest thing I've ever heard a coach say. On the field, I would've been really tempted to tack 15 yards on once the kid was off the field.