[Stripe]

My association had a meeting last night and a subject came up about an incident that occured at one of our games this past weekend. A head coach was ejected, and later in the game one of the assistant coached tried to call a timeout. The referee would not grant it as only the head coach can call a timeout. That led to parents and fans cursing the officials and the players of that team throwing their helmets on the field. When the coaches insisted on arguing about getting the timeout, a delay of game was called. Then when the coaches refused to leave the field, the game was forfeited. At our meeting the room seemed to be divided among officials who think that an assistant can assume the head coaching duties which includes calling a timeout, and those who thought the white hat did the right thing. Any opinions? I'd really like to get a rule reference if there is one.