Assistant coaches are not the head coach. And basically they are by rule similar to any other bench personnel which includes players, trainers or scorekeepers. And usually the problem that most officials have with ACs, it is not because they are asking questions professionally. Usually that is when the AC is yelling at the official along with the HC. That is not acceptable to me and many other officials and to have that kind of interaction with an AC.

Peace

And how do you determine whom that person is?

A. The coach that attends the pregame conference.

B. Most scorebooks have a spot for the coach's name which is usually filled in.

A. Here in Hampton Roads we don't greet the coaches until the 2:00 mark. We go to their respective benches. If it is a team we have never seen before how are we to know which guy/gal is the HC? Me personally, I ask "Who's the boss tonight?" If an AC steps up and says "I am", I wouldn't know any different.

B. I've never notice a coach's name in the book.

Assistant coaches usually know less than the head coach, so yes they have less rope with me as well.

Funny story about an assistant coach:

Player picks up his 3rd foul AC tells HC .
HC: "Why didn't you tell me when he got his second, you were supposed to..."
AC:" well you were talkin to the.."
HC:"OH who carese shut up and sit down."

I had to chuckle.

There is no rules support for what you suggest. Maybe that is a local requirement, but not something everyone adheres to I am sure. The head coach is the head coach. They are the only one that gets the privilege of standing up in the coaching box or doing other things that the rules allow.

Peace

But how do you know who that person is? Are you going to call the ADs of both schools ahead of time to ask?

Which is my point exactly. The HC is the person who presents him/herself as such when the crew comes over for pre-game greeting. Whether or not that is the actual title of that person may or may not be known to me.

The person that acts as the head coach is the head coach. I am not calling anyone to figure out who that is. In our state the HC has to attend the pre-game meeting, but if they HC does not attend, that is not disqualifying them as the HC. All we are supposed to do is write up the coach (which honestly almost never happens). But it is not our job to declare this person or to have a signed contract with their name on it. The rules allow the HC to do certain things and when that person acts in that capacity that is the HC as far as I am concerned (if I do not already know).

Peace

So let us say the school hired head coach does not come to the meeting for any reason (they are sick, they are dealing with an injury, they were talking to their wife about having a baby). You are going to require that person to stay seated the entire game? You cannot be serious.

Peace

Personally, I won't conduct the meeting without that person present. If we have to wait, then we wait. Otherwise, the team can change who is the Head coach.

BTW what you speak of with the meeting is in fact the NFHS soccer rule and my area enforces it.

This is what I said: who presents him/herself as such when the crew comes over for pre-game greeting. If someone on the staff says "HC had to step out, he/she will be right back" then common sense kicks in. At least in this part of the country.

Ask "who is the head coach?".

Go with the person that raises his/her hand.

It ain't rocket science.

Our state sent out a memo last season dealing with this very issue. It's very clear, and all the coaches were reminded of it at the new rules meeting at the beginning of this season. In short, coaches are not allowed to miss the coaches/captains meeting to discuss having a baby with their wife. :D

Or ask one of the players during warmups (this advice only valid in games where the player is not likely to answer "my daddy" or "Billy's mommy") Just about *anything* can turn into rocket science on the interwebs. :rolleyes: