Advice
 

My crew has a team this Friday that we had 4 weeks ago. We had to eject his star player after the game for wiping out an oponent after the final whistle blew - he blind sided him and wiped him out - cross town rival type thing.

Coach had choice remarks and just couldn't understand why we would do such a thing - he wouldn't let it go as we tried to leave the field.

Anyway - we have his team Friday - he needs one win to get into the state playoffs - I have his sideline as the Linesman. I am trying to tell myself to handle it just like nothing happened - but I am looking for any advice as to how to handle him. Anyone been there before?

Go out and do your job and do not mention anything about what previously took place. And if the coach says something to you, "That was then this is now coach."

In my experience the second game is easier because they know what they are getting and know what they cannot get away with because you have not allowed them to do certain things.

I really would not worry about it, just do your job and in your pre-game talk about if anything could be handled differently to avoid those problems. But I would do that if I was not on a game and was told about a previous incident.

Peace

Coach, I've done 42 games since then - I didn't even know that was you guys until you brought it up.

This is great advice.

I've used this approach before. The coach pretty much shut up. lol

It can be difficult. First game of this season, my sideline's coach brought up something from two years ago when things started going south for his team.

You certainly don't want to be the one to broach the subject but I agree with Jeff; that was then, this is now. If he's not over it, it's his problem.
You have to try and be the adult and a professional.

I think if you just respond to questions and not comments, you'll be fine.

If he asks, you were only following the rules set forth and the player ejected himself from the game due to his conduct.

NO!

If he asks, you simply tell him you're here to officiate THIS game, not rehash old ones. I would not engage in ANY conversation about the previous events.

I agree here 100 %! Let the past stay there. If he brings it up find something professional to respond with, preferably along the lines of the current game or something like that. A short memory is often a good thing. You could even say that you've do so many games since that assignment that you really don't remember what happened and just move on.
Good luck, hope all goes well.

Totally agree.

"Coach, I do not do history." Then walk away or move on in the conversation.

Peace

Coach, if you want to continue to have this conversation, then we'll continue it 15 yards that way. ;)

I like that.

I don't know, I think I'd be careful here. Why throw gas on the fire when you have the chance to throw water on it. I'm sure that we all would love to actually say that, but I dont think that road has a good end to it for anyone.

Said entirely tongue-in-cheek. SHould have added a smiley. I have now.

Don't say a word about it. If he brings it up, just say "Coach, you're starting to sound like my wife. Always bringing up the past". If he's married, or has a girlfriend, he'll get the message.

Fellas
 

Thanks fellas - I'll let ya all know how it goes Friday night!:D

Well, it's getting close to Halloween, so wear a mask.

Exactly this.

While it's good to be cognizant of behavioral trends, each game, each play, and even each action within each play, should be judged according to its own merits. If an action requires penalty, assess it and move on. There's no reason to hold animosity to a coach or team for something that happened weeks or months ago. It's that kind of thinking that begets generational anger, lifelong grudges, and a host of other unsavory behaviors.

Call a football game, and have fun doing it. And if you're not enjoying your work, you're doing it wrong.

Agreed. My crew was in this same spot last year, albeit the follow-up was a level 2 playoff game after tossing a kid earlier in mid-season.

There's a very good chance this won't even come up. Odds are good it was maybe caught on film and he's had a chance to look at it and rethink his stance and the postgame comments anyway.

Chalk it up as experience when all is said and done...this won't be your last rough spot.

I've gotten to know Bill LeMonnier over the last few years and he says to announce ejections to the coach this way: "Coach, #12 has disqualified himself." It tells the story the way it actually happened and puts the responsibility on the player.