I probably should have

[NewNCref]

Originally Posted by WAWhistleBlower

You do this, then the perception from everyone else in the room is that the referee engaged this coach, especially from this coach's fans. Then they lose, and it's your fault for putting home on the line, thereby proving his point in the comment he made. Self-fulfilling prophecy & not worth going there OR giving the coach the satisfaction of being able to blame the loss over some "hot-headed ref", which is the story he'll tell his team and his parents.

He would learn no lesson here.

1.) A quick "What's going on coach?" is, IMO, not engaging him. It's asking him to clarify what he just said.

2.) Pardon my french, but who gives a damn what the fans think? If I cared what the fans thought about the game, I would have never considered picking up a whistle. If he says something that's T-worthy, then YOU didn't put them on the line, HE did. I don't care what some stupid fanboys think after the game. My job is the enforce the rules as written, not to make sure the game ends to the satisfaction of the fanboys.