Dealing with Assistant Coaches

Times have changed. It used to be that assistant coaches were there to coach players. They never said a derogatory word to an official. As sportsmanship declines through the decades, so too has the behavior and role of some assistant coaches. They have become yet another entity of the game that officials have to deal with that really isn’t a part of the on-court or off-field action.

Changes in coaching style. It used to be that only the head coach spoke to an official. Now it could be argued that some assistants have been hired solely for the purpose of "working" the officials. No matter the level of play, in general, assistants have become more aggressive. There are certainly more of them. Even some large high school football teams have enough coaches to play a game if they had to.

Conflicts arise. Because of the increased aggressiveness, more conflicts with officials arise. Conflicts with assistants tend to heat up faster than conflicts with head coaches for a number of reasons, including:

1. It’s not a part of an official’s perceived job description to hear complaints from assistants. Many officials believe that an assistant is hired to coach, not officiate.

2. It is a part of an official’s perceived job description to hear complaints from a head coach. Officials expect complains from head coaches. It’s a part of their job to interact with officials and the officials plan accordingly.

3. The "gang-up" theory. When a head coach is complaining, it’s a usually a one-on-one situation. When two or three assistants chime in to give their two cents worth, the official feels ganged up on. Anything beyond one-on-one discussion isn’t good. Most people react defensively when cornered.

4. The assistant has less influence, so it’s easier to fight back. Officials think the head coach is the one with the pull and influence over ratings, scratch-lists, etc., so the assistant is less of a threat, therefore an easier target.

5. The age factor. Many assistants are young; sometimes it’s their first coaching job. With older officials, assistants may get less respect simply because they haven’t been coaching a while. Plus, younger coaches tend to be more emotional. They simply haven’t learned how to deal with officials yet.

6. The perception that if the assistant was a good coach, the assistant wouldn’t be an assistant coach.

Different attitudes. At an NCAA men’s basketball officiating clinic in Chicago, Joey Meyer, then-DePaul University men’s head coach and a member of National Association of Basketball Coaches, addressed the group of officials. Meyer said one common complaint among coaches was the way officials treated assistants. (Meyer also acknowledged that some assistants get out of line.)

How to deal handle them. Making an assistant feel like a second-class citizen is a thing of the past. Here are some things officials can do when dealing with an assistant:

1. Don’t stereotype. It’s not fair for officials to think all assistants are trouble. Yes, there are trouble assistants, but treat each case on its own merits.

2.. Introduce yourself to the assistant before the game. In some sports (like football), you may not hit all of the them, but a brief and polite meeting starts the communication positively.

3. During the game, use an assistant to help manage the game. The NFL and college football have instituted an informal "get back" coach, an assistant who is in charge of helping keep players in the team box and off the field. It’s a positive way to deal with a problem. In basketball, using an assistant to help calm a frustrated player or head coach can be helpful. It builds trust and develops a relationship.

4. When an assistant is complaining, address it by talking to the head coach. In most cases, the head coach will come down on the assistant. The last thing a head coach wants is a penalty because of an assistant.

General philosophy. Assistant coaches should get a "shorter leash" than a head coach regarding unsportsmanlike conduct. Something a head coach may say in frustration might draw a warming, where the same thing said by an assistant draws a penalty. The assistant must recognize their purpose — coaching — and let the head coach deal with the officials.

That doesn’t mean, however, that assistants should be treated like dirt. Think about this: Today’s assistant will probably be tomorrow’s head coach. Most coaches have long memories.

NBA Director of Officiating Ed Rush will be the featured speaker at the Chicago Bulls/NASO Sports Officials Appreciation Night on Nov. 6. Illinois officials should make plans immediately to secure their ticket to the event by calling Dave Gannaway at the Illinois High School Association office. His number is 309-663-6377.

In addition to the Bulls, the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons are hosting NASO Sports Officials Appreciation Nights this fall as part of local game promotions.

The promotion provides local officials with an opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to the game and attend a pregame clinic conducted by a member of the NBA officiating staff. Each team, as well as NASO and Referee, provides door prizes to add fun and excitement to the event.

The Nov. 6 game in Chicago will feature the Bulls against the Boston Celtics. This will be the second time in two years the Bulls have conducted an appreciation night. Local officials groups set up informational booths in the lobby of the United Center and recruited several new officials from last year’s event. A similar recruitment effort will occur this fall, too.

On Nov. 18 the Atlanta Hawks will challenge the Toronto Raptors. Local officials will attend a pregame clinic conducted by a member of the NBA officiating staff and also be eligible to win various door prizes from the Hawks team and NASO/Referee. Officials in Atlanta should contact Nick Brown at 404/578-4789 or Nadine Fazio at the Hawks office, 404/ 878-2458.

And on Dec. 15 the Detroit Pistons will play the New Jersey Nets. The Detroit event will be limited to the first 150 officials who sign up. Contact Noel Dolan at the Pistons office at 248-371-2007.

"These events are beneficial to the local officials, their association and to the NBA team," said NASO Communications Manager Bob Still. "It’s a fun night for the local officials — an opportunity to meet top leaders in the NBA officiating department and see a professional game. No matter what level you work, it’s an educational and fun night."

All three teams have indicated that the NASO public service announcement, "Be a ref. Make the Call!" will be played on their Jumbotron scoreboards prior to or during the game.

NASO has worked with several NBA teams to coordinate appreciation nights over the past three years. The objective of each promotion is to provide local sports officials with face-to-face contact with the NBA officiating leadership, encourage local associations to use these high-profile games and sites to recruit new officials, educate the public about officiating, offer a meaningful educational opportunity to local officials, and provide a fun atmosphere for camaraderie.

The fact that the Chicago Bulls are conducting another event this year and the San Antonio Spurs have already held back-to-back events the past two years says this works for them, says Still.

According to Still, several other NBA teams might have appreciation nights during the 2002-03 season.

Deadline is Near: Nominate Your 2003 Gold Whistle Award Candidate

What do officials like Larry Young, Paul Stewart, Durwood Merrill, Jim Tunney, Ed Hightower and Bernie Saggau have in common? All are previous NASO Gold Whistle Award honorees and each has a special gift and talent: extending themselves to help others. NASO Gold Whistle Award honorees are more than officials, they are special individuals who are active in their community.

Do you know an official who is an outstanding contributor to his or her community? A person whose integrity and character is such that other officials look to this person not only as a role model, but also as a true hero?

If so, that person may be the next Gold Whistle Award (GWA) honoree.

The Gold Whistle Award was created to honor an individual who not only has demonstrated officiating excellence, but also has served mankind above and beyond the call of duty. Clearly the emphasis is on community contributions.

Since 1988, NASO has selected one individual annually. Most recently, the award was presented to MLB umpire Larry Young at the Gold Whistle Award banquet in Albuquerque, N.M.

"We encourage the members to take an active role in this important recognition program," says Awards Committee Chair Gary Gullett. "The deadline for nominations is close at hand."

The Gold Whistle Award committee is now accepting nominations for its 2003 honoree. A candidate must meet the following criteria:

• Have a minimum of 10 years of experience as an active official, but does not have to be currently active to receive the award. The award can be made posthumously.

The committee, at its discretion and in lieu of the above provision, can select an award winner based on the candidate’s significant contribution to the betterment of officiating.

• Exhibit a "service above self" attitude demonstrated by a record of community involvement, public service or other engagements which clearly have had a positive, motivating effect on others.

• Be regarded as a person of high integrity and ethics and possessing the qualities held in high regard by the "community" of sports officials.

• Have a consistent record of presenting officiating in a positive light to the sports world in general.

The Gold Whistle Award is among the most coveted awards in the world of sports officiating. The honoree will be presented the Gold Whistle Award at the NASO Conference in Portland, Ore., next June. Fox 40 International will help host the banquet and presentation.

If you know of someone you think is deserving of recognition, send a letter of nomination to NASO Gold Whistle Award Coordinator, 2017 Lathrop Avenue, Racine, Wis., 53405. You can also e-mail your nomination letter to bstill@naso.org. Your letter should include the reasons you believe your nominee is qualified and must provide specific examples. Also include the names and phone numbers of three references. Please be as specific as you can as to why you think your nominee is the right choice.

Back in the "good old days" of the early 1980s, when NASO was in its infancy, few officials worried that a liability lawsuit might be filed against them. Officials didn’t think about liability insurance. Calling balls and strikes, touchdowns and managing the game at hand was what mattered.

Today, 20 plus years later, there are so many outside factors affecting officiating that any official working a game without liability coverage is risking financial ruin.

"No smart official works without insurance protection," says Special Markets Insurance Consultants Vice President John Stransky, who also officiates. "The risks are too high."

Some might say, "It’s no big deal," or, "It won’t happen to me," but think about how officiating has changed in recent years. The growth of competitive sports at the youth level has increased tensions leading to more physical assaults and officials abuse. Scrutiny is at an all-time high. Officials are expected to achieve perfection, no matter what level. And when things don’t go well, chaos ensues. When players get injured, officials get sued.

A player slides into second base and breaks an ankle — the umpire is accused of allowing the game to be played in unsafe conditions. A small leak in the roof of the gymnasium creates an undetected water spot on the basketball court and a player slips and is injured. A parent sitting in the stands simply decides on his own that the soccer game he is watching is too rough and it’s the officials fault for letting the game "get out of hand."

Each of those examples is an actual case that went to court requiring the officials involved to take time away from their fulltime job to defend their actions. Plus have the embarrassment of such an allegation made against them. Had the suing party won any of these cases in court, thousands of dollars would have been at stake.

"Officials take a risk every time they suit up," says NASO President Barry Mano. "That’s why we encourage officials to join NASO. All liability cases are defended vigorously."

Since NASO began offering liability insurance other organizations have copied, but not improved on, the NASO program.

"NASO members have the best program offered and we will continue to do all we can to keep that advantage," says Mano.

The NASO liability program is available to review on the NASO website. Questions about specific coverages can be directed to Stransky at 800/727-7642, ext. 31.

Recently NASO received the following question that involved legal as well as liability insurance ramifications. It’s Official contacted attorney and sports official Steven Ellinger for his opinion.

Q: "Does an official have any liability concerns for the child of a coach who is allowing that child to sit on the bench during a game/match and the child is not a participant?"

A: If the child is merely sitting on the bench, with the permission of coach/parent, there should be no problem unless there is a safety issue involved, or unless the rules of the sport prohibit a nonplayer from sitting on the bench.

If the child becomes disruptive, the official can have the child removed from the bench. The official can also have the child removed from the bench if the official believes the child’s or a player’s safety is being compromised.

I do not believe the official has any liability (absent the above mentioned items) just because the coach has the child sit on the bench.

Probably not a smart move by the coach, but not one that puts the official in legal jeopardy.

If a total stranger were to walk up to you on the street and offer you a $5 bill, would you take it? How about a friend making you a similar offer?

NASO is giving you, as a member, a chance to save $5 on your NASO membership renewal. It’s as simple as sending us the names of two officials you think will make good NASO members along with your renewal payment. Instead of paying $79 for a membership, you pay only $74. The discount is available only to those who participate in this program. In order to qualify for the discount, you must complete the form enclosed with your renewal statement and return it to NASO with the renewal payment.

NASO membership recruitment programs are critical to the growth of the organization. As a source for new members, recommendations from present members rank second only to the conversion of existing Referee magazine subscribers.

Once NASO receives the names and addresses of nominated officials, it mails a packet that includes a personal invitation letter, complimentary issue of the NASO "Members Only" edition of Referee, an NASO membership brochure and application. The nominated official is told in the cover letter that an NASO member nominated them for membership.

Members may send in more than two names and are encouraged to do so, but only one $5 discount will be applied to dues.

If you have questions about the NASO recruitment campaign, contact customer service at 262/632-5448. Watch for your renewal statement and become part of the NASO membership program.

November Issue in the Mail

The November issue of REFEREE is in the mail and has lots of important news and information.

Here’s a preview of

December Features:

• Our lead feature this month tackles the mystery of whatever happened
  to style in officiating?
  
  
• Being evaluated is often a tough proposition, but so is giving an
  evaluation. Read both sides in, "Do You Feel Good About That Call?"
  
  
• Boxing's top ref, Joe Cortez, sits down for a conversation on
  officiating the sweet science.
  
  
• Read how to appropriately and effectively go to your partners for help
  on a call when you need it.

• Football Take an alternative look at the philosophy behind
  flagging holding.
  
  
• Baseball: College umpires should take note of the new NCAA rules,
  including the new strike zone.
  
  
• Basketball: Learn how to use your voice to its fullest effect in
  managing your next game.
  
  
• Softball: Learn how to avoid a double call in the two-umpire
  system.
  
  
• Soccer: Take note of the USSF policy regarding sleeveless jerseys.

Plus, there are features and insight on officiating news and more. As always, you’ll also find that the REFEREE editors have put together informative columns on baseball, basketball, football and soccer techniques.

Look for your issue of REFEREE any day. www.referee.com

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