I dont understand coaches

[WinterWillie]

Discretion is the better part of valor regarding the assistant
coach. If you in your wisdom were to slap a T on the assistant,
an indirect would be charged to the head coach and then the "seat belt rule" would be in effect. That would not bode well for you, especially if the assistant was only asking you a question. I think the rule is significantly gray regarding this so much so that I would not want to become the object of his affection. Incidentally, during a timeout the bench area extends from the 28' hash mark almost to the end line and all the way over to the paint. That would legally allow the assistant to get close enough to ask an official a question without being penalized.