That handshake is part of this game. The coach has demonstrated he doesn't want to interact with us. There are many things a coach can do to cause interaction to cease, this is but one of them.

BNR and johnny d, what would you do in a college game?

On a related note, my household has been a cesspool for disease this season so whenever either of my daughters is sick with something I will do an elbow bump, a smile, and lightheartedly say something to the effect of "Trust me, with my household you wouldn't want to shake my hand."

Point being, there may be another reason why a coach may not have shaken your hand. However, I would hope that if they did have a reason that they would try and let you know why as briefly as possible.

Basically you have been disrespectful, so I do not have to show you any courtesy. Talking to any coach is a courtesy. No where is it a requirement or honestly part of a requirement in officiating. Why would any of us want to talk to a guy/gal that cannot shake our hands in a ceremonial fashion that does not even show that you like or respect us in the first place? And it a person cannot shake our hands, they do not need me to say anything to them as that will be seen as another issue when I speak to them. If you wish to talk, that is on you. I have told coaches in the past when they have been disrespectful, "I am not talking you anymore." They need me much more than I need them. They need to know that sometimes.

Peace

Coaches are disrespectful to officials all the time. Does that mean we lower ourselves to their level.

How am I lowering myself by telling him/her where they have crossed the line? I am not yelling at them. I am not calling them names. I am telling them what there behavior has now done to our actions towards them and now you will have to pay the consequences. First of all we do this all day anyway. Unless you are someone that does not talk to coaches ever, when participants have crossed the line, we often let a coach know that either with a T or our words. I have not lowered myself to be straight with a coach. Because if I do not tell him, he is going to go around telling the story the way he chooses anyway. I have not said anything to certain coaches only for them to assume I was mad at them and half the time I am just officiating and minding my own business. If a coach wants to show disrespectful behavior, I have the right to let him know why I felt he was disrespectful. I have seen too many videos of coaches or players getting T'd up and what do they day, "I did not do anything." So why keep them in the dark and treat them like their behavior is acceptable and we are the problem? Maybe, just maybe they will realize their behavior and apologize for being disrespectful, which I would accept if it was honest and sincere. I have had coaches apologize many times when they realize when they are wrong and when they have crossed a line. And only does that happen when it is brought to their attention by someone, whether it is me or an observer.

If that is not how you roll, then so be it. I am good telling coaches what is up and have the "juice" to be supported by telling them what is up. And that is not going to change how I call the game or if they get a foul or not or call a violation or not. I have told coaches to "knock it off" only to have them assume I made a call against them. I have been around long enough not to care what they ultimately think.

Peace

I also have been around long enough to not care what they ultimately think. So why do you care if they shake your hand or not. I have worked into a very good working relationship with most coaches and players throughout the years and a lot of that is by earning their respect. Not by doing what I please on the court or field, but by doing what is best for the game. We agree to disagree.

This situation would never happen in a college game. I don't think it would even happen in a Juco game. For most coaches at the college level, coaching is how they make their living. They are too professional to pull a stunt like this, and if they are not, they would not have risen to the point of being a college head coach. If however, it ever did happen to me in a college game, I would treat him and the game exactly how I treat every other game I officiate. I would answer his legitimate questions, ignore his statements, and give him the same latitude I give every other coach. Afterwards, I would report the incident to the assignor and allow him to handle the situation from there.

Great answer! +2

What's best for the game sometimes is shutting down communication with a coach.

Disagree

I think unprofessional behavior needs to be addressed. If you wish to not say anything I am fine with that fact. Just like you are not looking for my approval, I am certainly not looking for your approval off this situation. But I am going to likely say something at some point. We all do not do the same things anyway. We are not robots. We are individuals and there is a reason some individuals get to certain levels and others never get a shot. And even out of those individuals that are successful, you will hear a lot of different approaches with the same ultimate results. Just look at a guy like Jim Burr and Tim Higgins. Two totally different approaches but similar overall officiating success.

And I do not care to work with coaches. They are there to coach, not to tell me how to do my job. If they do not understand that fact, I will let them know. My goal is to call the game the right way that is asked of us by rules and philosophy, not to please a coach. Again, they need me much more than I need them. I will be onto the next game very soon and not have them the rest of the season. And if I have them later, they know where I stand. There is a reason in most cases when I have a coach one time, I do not have to deal with their crap the next time. ;)

Peace

Wouldn't happen...remote chance it did they would also get no conversation for that game.

College coaches don't have time for that Harry high school crap.

I respect your thoughts as I always have on this forum.

And the feeling is mutual. I think we have to do what makes us comfortable. Your way is not wrong, it is just right for you. It is just not my way to handle things, that is all.

Peace