[MrPlywood]

re: giving Hess the benefit of the doubt - Hess himself has been quoted as saying he's got thick skin, and he's yet to say exactly what Corchiani and Gugliotta said to get through that skin. The FSU AD was right there and has stated that the two former players didn't say anything out of line. Others near the two, including people at the scorers table, have corroborated the FSU AD.

As far as reputation, again, plenty of posters here give Hess the leeway and pile on the two players while admitting that they don't know what was said, but "it must have been something". So, yes, Hess has officiated tons of games. And he recently blew a crucial, obvious goaltending call in the WVU/Syracuse game. So there's a mistake he has made. He's not infallible. Several media sources published Hess' schedule, and the guy has been all over the map, leading many to speculate that he (as well as other refs) are over worked.

Corchiani played 124 college games and was never ejected, and at one point was the all-time NCAA assists leader (he's still second). That sounds like pretty good street cred to me. Corch and Gugliotta were sitting with their families and have said there was no profanity, stated their case, yet Hess has remained curiously silent.

Last but not least, for all you law and order types, Hess has reffed plenty of games in Cameron Indoor within earshot of the famous profanity laced rantings of Coach K and the Crazies, and amazingly, he has tossed no one.

Admit it, Hess had rabbit ears and over-reacted. If he had a real reason, why not clear the air?