Confusion At the Highest Level

[Ignats75]

GV NFHS State Optional Coaches Box Rule

I was attending my daughter's Varsity game last week when this controversy developed. Home team coach is significantly pregnant and cannot stand. She tells the officials during the pregame that she is going to designate her Assistant to be the head coach and let him coach the team as she doesn't feel well. Referee's agree.

Visiting team's Assistant coach is hacked off now because they had the same situation last season and it was NOT allowed. They came to me after the game to see what I thought. I told them that I probably would've allowed it but that I would check with the assignor.

I could not get ahold of the one for that conference so I called another one I work for and he agreed to let it happen. The next game, there was a third assignor actually doing their game so the HC and I both asked him for an intepretation and he said its a No-no. So even the assignors don't agree.

What say you?

[Adam]

What, and who, defines a head coach? I have no idea going in who the head coach is. As long as there's only one all game, that's all I care about.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

What, and who, defines a head coach? I have no idea going in who the head coach is. As long as there's only one all game, that's all I care about.

That is the proper question to ask.

The state office or local school district might have a certification program for the coaches. They might even have a registry of all the head coaches. If that is the case, then that person may be the only qualified head coach. There could be implications for insurance or liability.

However, I seriously doubt if the game official should get involved in this unless the state has issued a directive about the matter. I would allow it and simply notify the local authority about it. The folks in that capacity and the school ADs can hash it out and decide if they have a problem with it.

Under the NFHS rules there is no requirement. The head coach is whoever says he/she is the head coach at the start of the game. A team could be temporarily without their head coach, but someone is certainly going to fill in for that night.

Last season we had a team whose head coach was on duty with the National Guard and out of the country for the first four games of the season. The asst simply took over the duties of the head coach until his return.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

That is the proper question to ask.

The state office or local school district might have a certification program for the coaches. They might even have a registry of all the head coaches. If that is the case, then that person may be the only qualified head coach. There could be implications for insurance or liability.

However, I seriously doubt if the game official should get involved in this unless the state has issued a directive about the matter. I would allow it and simply notify the local authority about it. The folks in that capacity and the school ADs can hash it out and decide if they have a problem with it.

Under the NFHS rules there is no requirement. The head coach is whoever says he/she is the head coach at the start of the game. A team could be temporarily without their head coach, but someone is certainly going to fill in for that night.

Last season we had a team whose head coach was on duty with the National Guard and out of the country for the first four games of the season. The asst simply took over the duties of the head coach until his return.

NevadaRef:

The OhioHSAA does have a cerification program. All coaches (head coaches and assisstants) from H.S. varsity down to Jr. H.S. must be certified by the OhioHSAA. I am not sure what the requirements are but I know that the Toledo Public Schools District will not issue a Supplemental Contract (coaches and faculty advisors for after school clubs sponsored by a school) to a person to coach a sport unless he is certified by the OhioHSAA.

MTD, Sr.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

NevadaRef:

The OhioHSAA does have a cerification program. All coaches (head coaches and assisstants) from H.S. varsity down to Jr. H.S. must be certified by the OhioHSAA. I am not sure what the requirements are but I know that the Toledo Public Schools District will not issue a Supplemental Contract (coaches and faculty advisors for after school clubs sponsored by a school) to a person to coach a sport unless he is certified by the OhioHSAA.

MTD, Sr.

Maybe, but I see nothing here that indicates someone qualified to be an assistant coach might not be qualified to be a head coach.

[dbking]

Absolutely allow! She made a request during pregame in a professional manner. No questions asked, wish her well with her new child and say congratulations!

[jdmara]

Allow it! I don't want to feel the wrath of a woman, especially a pregnant one (Ladies, I am only kidding)

-Josh

[mbyron]

Look at it this way: she wasn't feeling well, and might have had to leave during the game. Would the assistant then be designated as head coach?

If so, why can't they do the same with the nominal "head coach" still present?

Allow it.

[Adam]

Question: What if the HC wasn't at the game?

Answer: You wouldn't know, because the person there would be the head coach. There is nothing in the rules that defines the HC; let it go.

[Ignats75]

I agree in every case. It bothers me that one of the assignors said no though. One clarification though. If the coach becomes incapacitated DURING the game, I was under the impression that the assistant cannot beome the head coach.

[derwil]

We have a local coach that is paralized and in a wheelchair. He always designates his able bodied assistant to be the speaking coach during pregame. That way he can scream at his players from his chair and his assistant can scream at us standing up!

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

There is nothing in the rules that defines the HC.

True. But there are several rules where we need to know who the head coach is.

Similar play:
Question 1: Head coach is ejected. Assistant coach now becomes the "head" coach regarding time outs, etc., but must do it while seated. Correct?
Question 2: Head coach becomes ill, and leaves in first quarter. Assistant coach now becomes "head" coach regarding timeouts, etc. Can he stand?

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

GV NFHS State Optional Coaches Box Rule

I was attending my daughter's Varsity game last week when this controversy developed. Home team coach is significantly pregnant and cannot stand. She tells the officials during the pregame that she is going to designate her Assistant to be the head coach and let him coach the team as she doesn't feel well. Referee's agree.

Visiting team's Assistant coach is hacked off now because they had the same situation last season and it was NOT allowed. They came to me after the game to see what I thought. I told them that I probably would've allowed it but that I would check with the assignor.

I could not get ahold of the one for that conference so I called another one I work for and he agreed to let it happen. The next game, there was a third assignor actually doing their game so the HC and I both asked him for an intepretation and he said its a No-no. So even the assignors don't agree.

What say you?

How silly, common sense, as long as there is one head coach.