Good grief.

I thought about that before requesting the conference. However, I was already concerned that was a distinct possibility, and I thought the best way to prevent any further incident was to 1.) Give him a chance to hear his partner state what was said earlier, and 2.) Give the other two a heads up that there was an issue between me and ref #3, and that I was trying to diffuse it.

And what would your advice for the coach have been?

Same as the rogue official's advice; an implied, "shut up, coach."

Unprofessionalism
 

On behalf of officials everywhere, let me apologize for such unprofessional behavior.

In addition to the points mentioned by other members, I would NEVER, EVER, touch a coach other than the pregame handshake.

When the official went solo, he threw himself under the bus. Listening to Packer et al doing one of HIS games should be the punishment. I would think that the OP was not the only coach to get the treatment from that particular official on that particular day.

This was my feeling as well.

Coach, I thought you did the right thing in requesting a conference with everyone - all three officials and the other coach. This way, anything that is said is out in the open in front of everyone, and not just between two people where things could be mis-interpreted. This also eliminated the perception that you were simply trying to play one official over the other if you were to only talk to the original official.

This is also a good idea for officials in general - if there is any general issue that needs to be addressed, do it in front of both coaches, if not also in front of your partner(s). Coaches, (being the paranoid creatures they are...) are less likely to feel like something is "going on" if they are included in the conversation.

Sounds like a narrative from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.

"While I sit back here safely hidden in the brush, Jim Fowler is going to see how close he can come to the rabid alligator..."

Yeah. That's what I remember. Would've been the other way around had Jim been doing the commercials. But Marlin looked to be about 88 and if HE could get life insurance......

When did this turn into the baseball board?

Guess you're not talking to some of us, who might be baritones. :p

So It's Really Not As Risky As It Sounds ...
 

Jim would know that only warm blooded animals carry rabies.

Now Z'ing, That's Another Story ...
 

I seldom eject a coach for X'ing.

No, but I've eject many for F'ing, as in "You're f'ing terrible". Of course, they were directing that at my partner. ;)