Can an official besides the WH eject players/coaches if he sees fit?

[Jim D.]

The referee's only specific authority over and above the other officials involve:
Weather delays (with the game admin & coaches)
Forfeiting the game
Problems not specified in the rule book (this will never happen in a career)

You might think of the WH as being the spokesman for the crew. He takes the lead in many of the game duties - meeting with the coaches before the game, handling the coin toss, signalling penalties, signalling ready for play, etc. He would also back up the calling official if a meeting with the coach is necessary for an ejection or a rule explaination.

Since most eyes are on the WH, it's important that he look sharp and have great mechanics and signals. He should practice in signals front of a mirror and review tapes. If the WH looks sharp, the crew will look good.

Off the field, you may or may not be the leader or crew chief on your crew. It's common that the WH take the lead as far as setting up rules study sessions and other things like that, but it could be done by anyone.

Other than than, the WH has no more authority than any other official on the field. He is just one of the crew with his own specific area and players to watch.

[Brandon Kincer]

and this is according to the NFHS standards right?

[Mike L]

Perhaps it's just semantics, but as the WH I'm the one who ejects the player. As with any other foul call, you report what you have seen and I determine the appropriate enforcement. That is the job of the WH. It may be your call that causes the ejection, but the WH is the one who completes it.

Now then, different areas have different ideas on how the process works and I strongly suggest you look into what your association or what your crew chief wants done. Around here you will report to me what you saw. No matter how many years you have in, you will get questioned about it because an ejection is REALLY BIG and as a WH I want to confirm you are absolutely sure you saw what you saw. And we'll take our time about it because we don't want heat of the moment judgements to be made. This is the time to really think things thru. And once we decide that the ******* is gone, I go over to tell the coach the bad news and you come along as just in case he wants to hear from the covering official what you saw. And that's where our little talk thru helps you because you've had time to go over it and get it straight before someone who really is not going to be very happy with you wants and deserves some answers.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by Brandon Kincer

and this is according to the NFHS standards right?

The referee is the lead official of the crew. If you go to the NFHS Officials Manual the duties of each official as to the pregame responsibilities are described. The white hat designates to everyone the person in charge as opposed to the black hat. In most cases a white hat will not overrule another official. On the field responsibilities are not as strictly defined.

I can only speak for myself as a referee but every official on my crew has the same standing as myself when it comes to what you see and call on the field. Of course, that requires you as an official learn the proper mechanics and rule application. There will be times when you may see something different than another official and if you feel strongly about your call discuss with the other official regardless of the hat being worn or the number of years that official has been working. However, at no time openly and/or loudly dispute another official on the field.