I heard it first hand. Wooden was notorious for working the officials. That's why I laugh every time I see the term "sportsmanship" used along with his name. He was the Jim Boheim of his time.

Speaking of Boheim, the greatest description I ever heard of him came from an official. He said <i>"If a hemmorhoid could talk, it would sound just like Boheim".</i>

Coach K is another one that gets away with murder imo. Another whining phony that pays lip service to sportsmanship.

Grumble, grumble, grumble.....:D

how is it working an official if the official tunes out said coach? only statements that you let get to you can effect you.

I had one of these coaches Tuesday night as well, and after the same comment 3 or 4 trips up the floor, I just politely said "Coach, Please coach your players, and we will referee the game" He got the hint and did a nice job from then on.
I have heard one line used that was funny, but I would never use it because I don't find it to be very professional. "Coach, if you and I are both officiating, Who is coaching your team?"

I would give him the stop sign, let my partner know and then if he continues chirping, WACKARAMA!

I would think this may provoke a response from said Coach like "When are you gonna start then" or something that will make you then have to decide if you need to make a further call on the Coach.

You may be right, and baiting a coach into a comment that leads to a T is not a good practice. Maybe in this situation, the stop sign is the proper way to handle the situation. I will try that approach next time around.

This was a great response in another thread.
"this is where i would ask the coach if he saw the new Rocky. And while he is confused I make my escape."
I don't know what she meant, but I thought it was funny.

by she you mean HE -- last I checked thats what I qualify as....

:o Oops.... Sorry. My bad.

Would you wrap it in a bow? Do they make bows for octagonal structures?

http://blog.kir.com/archives/stop_sign_cop.jpg

Yessssssssssssss!

Good Coaches ?
 

This thread has mentioned the names of some very successful coaches who seem to exhibit poor sportmanship, in some cases, in very subtle ways: Coach Boheim, Coach Wooden, and Coach K. I would like to add Coach Calhoun and, or course, Coach Knight.

For those of you who closely follow or officiate Division I basketball, are there any really successful "big time" Division I coaches who exemplify good sportmanship ?

From what I hear, Coach Calhoun is not subtle at being an a-hole.

Calmly say "Coach, you are becoming a distraction. I can't listen to you and ref the game at the same time. Which would you prefer I do tonight?" If he's smart, he'll stop...if he keeps going, turn your back to the court while play is going on and repeat the statement...if that doesn't work, walk over and sit down next to him on the bench and say "Now that I'm comfortable, we can have a nice, long conversation".

Editorial Note: Everything after the words "he'll stop" is only wishful thinking and I would never really do it - altho it might be fun the last game I do before retiring! :D But the statement has worked well for me for many years...

1st trip down..."we're working hard coach" or "I'll watch"
2nd trip down...."Not on every play Coach"
3rd trip down....Generally, the Coach is busy coaching his team but if he's still chirping, he will get a stopsign from me so everyone knows his line has been drawn. If he continues, why wait til the next trip to pin him?