Advice, Please, on a Coach Problem

[rainmaker]

Last year, near the end of the season, I ended up ejecting a coach. It wasn't exactly a mistake, but if I'd have had a little more experience and perspective, I wouldn't have done it. Still, the guy was such a jerk about the situation, that it was hard not to feel justified. In fact, his threats and innuendoes in the parking lot afterward would have gotten him arrested if the police had been there (and I wish they had been!!) So we filed our reports with our commissioner and, of course, never heard another word about it.

Okay, that's the background. The current situation is... I'm assigned to this guy's school again in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure he's still coaching. I hope his bad attitude got him fired, but I just don't know. Now, I've got lots of questions. Do I ask the commissioner if the coach is still the same? I can't call the school and ask, buecause I don't know what his name is. If it is the same guy how do I approach the situation? I read the article in the eReferee pages about handling difficult coaches. My question is, What do you specifically think about and say to yourself when you are anticipating coach problems? What do I say, or NOT say to my partner? If I ask the commissioner and it is the same guy, should I ask to be excused, or tackle it head-on? How do I tackle it head-on? If I get to the game and he brings up the past, what should I do, what should I say? What should I NOT do or NOT say?

In case it matter, we're talking 8th grade girls, here, not any big top-of-the-league play-off type game. I mean, I know it's important to these girls, and I try to take this seriously, but it's not that crucial in the larger scheme of things. Still, I can use it as a learning experience, but I want to be prepared and handle it the best possible way.

You guys and gals have been VERY HELPFUL to me over the last few months and I appreciate and anticipate all your responses and advice!!