Spectators as coaches, coaches as spectators

Adam

chseagle wrote
APG and BNR had the best answers.

How often do you have to deal with a coach that was a vocal spectator at a previous game? (That was actually memorable or that action had to be taken concerning that coach)

Their answers are best only if the sense of humor fuse has been blown.

Raymond

chseagle wrote
APG and BNR had the best answers.

How often do you have to deal with a coach that was a vocal spectator at a previous game? (That was actually memorable or that action had to be taken concerning that coach)

After my first year of officiating I was officiating an outdoor fall BJV/MS league on outdoor courts. Being in the military I had no idea who was who around these parts. I made a long-distance call against XYZ in the last minute of my last game that night that the lone spectator on one side of the court questioned openly. Me being me and still not knowing I should ignore fans I, of course, answered him. He then said "Do you know who I am, I'm the head coach at XYZ HS" My answer in return was "Not right now you aren't, right now you're just a fan".

Though of course I would never engage in that type of conversation now, my last sentence is still the philosophy I work under.

I once had a custodian who was standing at one endline (where there were no bleachers) constantly making disparaging comments. So I finally addressed him and told him "Either you're working or you're a fan; if you are going to talk to me like a fan then you need to go sit with them, but you're not going to stand here and keep making comments to me"

Mark Padgett

BadNewsRef wrote
I once had a custodian who was standing at one endline (where there were no bleachers) constantly making disparaging comments.

A few years ago, I had a similar situation. Finally, my partner said to the custodian, "Why don't you go and mop something?" I thought it was pretty funny.

billyu2

Mark Padgett wrote
A few years ago, I had a similar situation. Finally, my partner said to the custodian, "Why don't you go and mop something?" I thought it was pretty funny.

Several years ago leaving a game a custodian with mop and bucket was coming down the hall outside the gym. As he approached and passed us he made a comment regarding how horrible we officiated the game. I thanked him politely but I can't tell you how badly I wanted that soft drink I was carrying to "slip" from my hand.

Adam

billyu2 wrote
Several years ago leaving a game a custodian with mop and bucket was coming down the hall outside the gym. As he approached and passed us he made a comment regarding how horrible we officiated the game. I thanked him politely but I can't tell you how badly I wanted that soft drink I was carrying to "slip" from my hand.

I wouldn't have bothered to thank him, but other than that, I'm with you.

Mark Padgett

Sounds like a perfect time to use the retort I've used for over 20 years: "Coming from a real expert like you, that means a lot."

Welpe

chseagle wrote
APG and BNR had the best answers.

Well that's fine but mine is more thorough.

chseagle

Welpe wrote
Well that's fine but mine is more thorough.

I was not discrediting your answer.

If only it was really that easy.

chseagle

One reason why I asked how to deal with a overly vocal spectator that is known to be a coach is cause of knowing a person that fits the description. (Watches HS games, but is a JH/MS coach)

Let's just say all the officials that do the games he watches, are very thick skinned as the gentleman in question complains about, almost, every non-call loud enough for the whole gym to hear.

JRutledge

chseagle wrote
One reason why I asked how to deal with a overly vocal spectator that is known to be a coach is cause of knowing a person that fits the description. (Watches HS games, but is a JH/MS coach)

Let's just say all the officials that do the games he watches, are very thick skinned as the gentleman in question complains about, almost, every non-call loud enough for the whole gym to hear.

They probably do not care or pay attention. People like these make a fool out of themselves most of the time.

Peace

Adam

A JH coach watching HS games? I wouldn't even know he was a coach.

bob jenkins

Snaqwells wrote
A JH coach watching HS games? I wouldn't even know he was a coach.

Agreed. So, I'd treat him the same as I'd treat any other spectator acting that way. chseagle -- are you saying that the officials treat him differently? OR, that you'd expect better, given that you know he's a coach?

chseagle

bob jenkins wrote
Agreed. So, I'd treat him the same as I'd treat any other spectator acting that way. chseagle -- are you saying that the officials treat him differently? OR, that you'd expect better, given that you know he's a coach?

For starters, was just curious how everyone would respond to a known coach, viewing the game as a spectator, was questioning your officiating of the game.

Secondly, with him being a coach, acting at the time as a spectator, he should be setting an example to others around him.

There is a possibility I'll be seeing him more, if asked to assist with the JH/MS table operations. So I can see if his attitude is different as a coach, compared to being a spectator.

Adam

In your case, I wouldn't know. I agree with your second point, but it's not the officials' job to enforce manners. As for your final point: I would be shocked to find he isn't an a$s as a coach.

JRutledge

chseagle wrote
For starters, was just curious how everyone would respond to a known coach, viewing the game as a spectator, was questioning your officiating of the game.

Secondly, with him being a coach, acting at the time as a spectator, he should be setting an example to others around him.

That is on the administration that hires him. Many officials have no idea what the coaching or playing background of fans in the stands. I could not tell you who most fans are in most situations, let alone what their background in coaching might be. If his behavior is over the top, the administration should make sure he is setting the standard, not some official that might never go back to that school again or work that level with that school or team.

Peace

bob jenkins

chseagle wrote
Secondly, with him being a coach, acting at the time as a spectator, he should be setting an example to others around him.

Agreed. But, this is an officials' forum, not a social etiquette site. So, as officials, we treat him just as any ohter spectator. That's been said many times, so I think this thread is done.

There is a possibility I'll be seeing him more, if asked to assist with the JH/MS table operations. So I can see if his attitude is different as a coach, compared to being a spectator.

Again, we don't care.

BillyMac

A friend of mine was officiating a junior varsity game in which the varsity coach was sitting on the junior varsity bench. This particular coach was not particularly well liked by officials (real jerk), and his fellow coaches (state association infractions, recruiting, etc.).

This varsity coach, as a member of junior varsity bench, said the wrong words to the junior varsity official, who tossed him from the junior varsity game.

The way things work around here, he was not allowed to coach until he sat out a game at the level at which he was tossed, so he had to sit out his varsity game that night, and the next junior varsity game, before being allowed to coach his varsity team.

My buddy got a standing ovation at the next officials' meeting.

Camron Rust

BillyMac wrote
The way things work around here, he was not allowed to coach until he sat out a game at the level at which he was tossed, so he had to sit out his varsity game that night, and the next junior varsity game, before being allowed to coach his varsity team.

Imagine if the JV team had a few nights off with several varsity games upcoming before the JV team had another game....perhaps the last regular season game before playoffs and the JV team wouldn't play again until next season. 😮

Adam

Camron Rust wrote
Imagine if the JV team had a few nights off with several varsity games upcoming before the JV team had another game....perhaps the last regular season game before playoffs and the JV team wouldn't play again until next season. :eek:

Not sure about CO, but that was the rule in Iowa. This exact scenario was presented as a strong deterrent for both coaches and players.

26 Year Gap

BillyMac wrote
A friend of mine was officiating a junior varsity game in which the varsity coach was sitting on the junior varsity bench. This particular coach was not particularly well liked by both officials (real jerk), and his fellow coaches (state association infractions, recruiting, etc.).

This varsity coach, as a member of junior varsity bench, said the wrong words to the junior varsity official, who tossed him from the junior varsity game.

The way things work around here, he was not allowed to coach until he sat out a game at the level at which he was tossed, so he had to sit out his varsity game that night, and the next junior varsity game, before being allowed to coach his varsity team.

My buddy got a standing ovation at the next officials' meeting.

His schedule probably improved, too.😃