BadNewsRef wroteIf you feel there might be a need to speak to a coach in this situation you bring the 2 coaches together at the table BEFORE the decision is announced and explain what is about to happen.
Fair enough but even in this situation I'd say you don't need to. It's a shot at the buzzer that will either win the game or send it into overtime. If either of them isn't sure what is about to happen there's not much I can do about that.
bainsey wroteI simply believe it's a matter of common courtesy. Assuming the coach hasn't been a jerk or uncivil in this game, I have no problem with a brief word, should he request one (and he probably will). I also don't like the message sent when we high-tail it off the court after any game (unless our safety is in danger), particularly in a situation such as this, where a partner conference was necessary. And bear in mind, you will likely run into that coach again.
JMF mentioned "harms way." Perhaps I just don't see enough harm in my little corner to be concerned about that. If there's a higher chance of danger in your part of Rome, I can certainly see that point.
It doesn't matter whether they've been a jerk, civil or an absolute angel. It's a potential end-of-game situation. There are two possible decisions and one of them results in his team losing the game immediately, meaning there's a 50% chance he and/or someone connected with his team - including a fan - is going to be very unhappy. There's no reason for the crew to stay out there once the game-ending decision is rendered. None.
The message we're sending when we exit the court is "the game is over." If a coach good enough to get his team to a championship game doesn't understand that, I can't help him. As to whether I run into that coach again: if he's going to be upset with me/my partners after the game and into the future, he's going to be upset regardless of whether we stand there and talk to him.