Coach appears to headbutt official

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by Adam

Agreed. I'm doubtful that this was his first violent outburst.

Many otherwise normal and professional folks lose their $!! in unexpected ways in the emotion of a sporting event -- a kind of emotionally charged event that doesn't happen in the same way in a classroom. Of course this guy should be sanctioned in his role as coach, and the criminal charges are not inappropriate. But judging an entire teaching career on a single moment on a basketball court is gross overreaching, as is assuming there must have been other misbehavior. Without any indication of inappropriate behavior in a classroom, I'm hard pressed to see why anyone would be stressed about a kid in the class -- I wouldn't. (Nor would I have any problem whatsoever reffing his game unless this was a repeat incident. He f'd up. He probably knows it. He's probably embarrassed by it. And I think it's unlikely to be a repeat. [I also think the school was completely right to fire him as a coach; I just don't see it as necessarily a life-time ban.])

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

Many otherwise normal and professional folks lose their $!! in unexpected ways in the emotion of a sporting event -- a kind of emotionally charged event that doesn't happen in the same way in a classroom. Of course this guy should be sanctioned in his role as coach, and the criminal charges are not inappropriate. But judging an entire teaching career on a single moment on a basketball court is gross overreaching, as is assuming there must have been other misbehavior. Without any indication of inappropriate behavior in a classroom, I'm hard pressed to see why anyone would be stressed about a kid in the class -- I wouldn't. (Nor would I have any problem whatsoever reffing his game unless this was a repeat incident. He f'd up. He probably knows it. He's probably embarrassed by it. And I think it's unlikely to be a repeat. [I also think the school was completely right to fire him as a coach; I just don't see it as necessarily a life-time ban.])

I am going to have to disagree with you big time. This incident revealed character? If someone does not want to be associated or be around that person, that is their choice. Yes he screwed up, but he did so in such a minimal level of importance. It is sports, not life or death. If you act that way in a sport, what will you do when you are involved in something much more important? If an official went up into the stands or assaulted a coach, we would not be talking about them staying as an official and in some cases might result in actions associated with their real job.

I have been on this site for years and have had people try to equate words with what someone should be viewed in their jobs. This guy actually assaulted someone in plain view of everyone. Remember the ESPN correspondent that that was slightly rude to a towing company employee when her car was towed? Well ESPN suspended her for that action. And she did not assault anyone. To me what he did took it too far and if the official had responded with physical action, we would be talking about both of them being in trouble. I have no sympathy for this guy at all and certainly do not get upset at those that want nothing to do with him as a result. He even got mad at the wrong person for the play in question. But after all we know how rational coaches can be when they do not get their way.

Peace