Coach ejected while in stands

[Mark Padgett]

An amazing story was reported today here in Portland in The Oregonian newspaper sports section. One of the most well-respected HS coaches in the nation, Brad Smith, was kicked out of a game - and he wasn't even coaching at the time. Smith, whose Oregon City girls team is ranked number one in the state and who has won many state championships and two national titles has been coaching for over 20 years. In all that time, he has received only one technical foul!

However, last Friday night, he was sitting in the stands watching the JV game. Apparently, he did his howler monkey impression so well, an official gave him a T. After a discussion, the official realized he couldn't do that, but could have Brad removed from the gym, which he proceeded to do. Brad said he would go to the next gym to watch the freshman game and then return to coach the varsity. The official told him he could not do that.

Brad then used a cell phone to call Howard Mayo. Howard is the commissioner of the Portland Basketball Officials Assn. (PBOA) and a former long-time NF rules committee member.

According to the story, Howard ruled that Brad could return to coach the varsity game because his behavior occurred while he was in the stands. But, if he had been on the bench at the time he was ejected, he could not return for the varsity game.

BTW - his varsity team won by 60.

After the game, Brad was quoted as saying he was "embarrassed" because people will jump to false conclusions about the incident.

I do not know who the official was, or if both officials were involved. I do know I have worked Brad's games in tournaments and I consider him a real gentleman.

Of course, I was not there that night.