Officiating a Team You Formerly Coached

[tarheelcoach]

I transitioned from coaching to officiating last year. I blocked my old team last year, but this year I have not. There are obviously still players who I coached on that team, but I feel I am far enough removed from coaching them that it won't be a big issue.
As a teacher, I frequently officiate games with former students playing. Tonight, one of them, right in front of the other coach, said "Mr. Tarheel, whose ball is it?". The other coach gave me a strange look, but didn't question it.

There are bound to be conflicts of interest that come up. Once the game starts, I can't imagine it makes a difference for any official. If spectators/participants have a problem with it, it usually means they are really stretching for something to complain about - which you can take as a sign your are doing a good job!

[BillyMac]

I block out my hometown high school. My kids went there, played sports there, and I used to teach science in town before I retired, and became a chemist. I still have 69 other high schools to keep me busy. No big deal.

[26 Year Gap]

I have done games for both high Schools I attended. The first one when I was a sophomore in college at the HS I graduated. JVB & VG. First game was a buzzer beater won by the home team.

Locally, I refused to do games for my stepson's team, of course. But earlier this week I did a JV game between the HS I went to and the HS in the town where I now live. On the court 60 milies from here. Nobody could rightly accuse me of being a homer. I knew lots of people on both sides of the gym.

Next month I have the VG game between both schools here.

I would probably take other games for a season or two, though, in answer to your question.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by tarheelcoach

I transitioned from coaching to officiating last year. I blocked my old team last year, but this year I have not. There are obviously still players who I coached on that team, but I feel I am far enough removed from coaching them that it won't be a big issue.
As a teacher, I frequently officiate games with former students playing. Tonight, one of them, right in front of the other coach, said "Mr. Tarheel, whose ball is it?". The other coach gave me a strange look, but didn't question it.

There are bound to be conflicts of interest that come up. Once the game starts, I can't imagine it makes a difference for any official. If spectators/participants have a problem with it, it usually means they are really stretching for something to complain about - which you can take as a sign your are doing a good job!

Disagree. I know its different in areas other then my own but I'll relate my story. Last year GV game, a rivalry but not alot of talent just alot of noise.

1st half V coach is working me like there's no tomorrow. Jeez I would have bought a used car off him just to make him go away. Asking about this call and that call -the usual but very nice to me. H coach is yammering about every call-he got his call, Tweet T, and we moved on to halftime. In locker room I'm talking with partner. Clueless, he states H coach is great guy blah blah the kids. V coach hasn't said a word to him. I'm like jeez what did I do to get alll the love. Turns out partner assigns for H coachs summer leagues and V coach is aware of and plays in the league. So H coach has partner in his pocket and V coach also believes that.....I know none of us here would ever see things through "green eyes" but others can and do. Sorry its a no brainer don't do it. Your partner will thank you.