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You do not know which Mike has been posting on this board, and I can assure you it's not who you think it is.
You have fallen into the same trap the ADs in this league have- if no physical contact took place, then any coach in that league is free to do, say, and act however he wants to, up to and including telling an official to leave the field instead of obeying that official's instructions. There is no doubt about that part, as the ADs have admitted as much when directly questioned about it.
You say diplomacy could have changed this, yet neither side of this equation can claim the high ground of having been completely above board in their approach. How do you defend a group that never, to this day, have spoken to either of the other 2 officials who worked that game? How do you defend a group that only questioned the official claiming he was physically contacted one time, and that with only half of the ADs present? Do you know they (the ADs) are now denying the official ejected the coach from the game, despite his direct statements otherwise? Do you know they believe that the official's behavior, the possibility he said something inflammatory to the coach, and the fact that the other two officials were so terrified over what to do that they did not forfeit the game, as all legitimate reasons for the coach's obnoxious behavior? The ADs in this league are giving that coach a pass- the refuse to punish him appropriately. You can argue whether banning him before his conviction on battery charges is too harsh, but there is no doubt he deserves punishment beyond the token slap on the wrist he has received.
Rich, they are going to sell you out just like they've sold out this young man. The coach is only suspended from coaching duties because of a clause in their bylaws requiring it when charges are filed. The ADs have consciously made a decision to NOT remove him as AD for his team, and to NOT remove him from being Vice President of the league. They voted TWICE, even after seeing the video that, while not showing clear evidence EITHER WAY that physical contact occured, clearly shows a coach who had lost control of himself, to do NOTHING to punish him for it.
You can make all the noise you want about having some inside information that no one else is privy to, but in reality you are one of the many apologists for this coach's unsportsmanlike behavior, and your attitude is, to most but not all officials I know, a disgrace and something we all fear. But, more power to you and the 15 licensed officials who are going to work in that league. God help you when the next coach is unhappy you aren't helping his team not get beat 29-0.
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