Negative. A lot of the AD's are very supportive of the refs and want us to T up the coach if they cross the line.

I'm not worried about getting hired.

Neither am I.

I don't throw them around like candy at a Halloween parade, but I have a clear line that results in free throws being shot if it's crossed. I'll talk to a coach all day if he's asking questions. I'll let a coach complain, too -- if it's just a quick comment here and there, I may or may not even acknowledge it.

But there are simply too many officials who *will not* pull the trigger on coaches who clearly cross the line and, to me, that just legitimizes the behavior. Most officials who say "I haven't called a technical in 20 years" don't do so because they are afraid of their schedules or just think it's easier to turn down the hearing aids and get through the game.

HS athletics are an extension of the classroom. Not calling a technical on a coach that deserves one teaches the wrong lesson, in my opinion.

My personal problem with coaches is that I simply ignore them too much. I hear when they ask questions and I engage with them then, but when they are complaining, I simply don't notice for the most part.

It's been a few years since I've T'd a coach and I suspect that I've missed at least a couple in that time period.

I agree. It just hasn't gotten to that point yet in the games I officiate.

And sometimes you just flat miss what should have been a T bc you are so dumbfounded that someone actually said it and it takes a sec to process what was said and by that time, the opportunity has passed. I'm not saying to be trigger happy but in basketball, I have found you have to be more ready to penalize unsporting acts/behavior than in softball.


I wish I had a cool signature

So true