Extended Coach's Box

[Jerry Baldwin]

Williefree
Yes the coaches or AD hires the home officials at all levels from 7th grade to HS SV. We have tried to get the state association to form an assigment system but not in the 20+ years I've been a ref. As you can see a lot of pressure is put on the officials because they are hired and paid by the home school. Most don't pay us on the floor, that really looks bad. They usually come in the dressing room and give us our checks or sometimes cash (that's rare). Our state association cannot understand why officials don't enforce the coaching box rule. Officials are afraid to upset the head coach because they won't be hired again. Gives the coaches way too much power. Veteran officials have learned how to work the system. Most coaches know where "the line in the sand is" and will usually back off before getting a 'T' especially in a close game. Blow outs are another matter, coaches will push to the maximum even if down by 20-30 points. Don't you just love it when coaches start officiating?
Jerry