BITS, unless he says something that's personally attacking, I'm probably not going to be too concerned with his response...and I'm probably going to be gone anyway by the time he says it!
Maybe I can pull this off and others can't, I don't know. But I just don't have a problem with this turning into a baiting type of thing. Perhaps it's because my meaning is clear. Also, I don't have to use this with veteran coaches. Most of the veterans show me the same respect that I give them. It seems to be the younger coaches who are just moving into varsity jobs that require a little more "understanding" as to what's acceptable and what's not.
Do what works for you.