Well, here we are, Sunday evening, a couple days removed from Friday night’s game and I’m still baffled by something that I’ve tried to not to comment on. After the game Friday, I can’t let it go anymore. My topic for the next couple of paragraphs will be officiating and the lack of quality, lack of professionalism, and the overall decline in respect that many referees display for coaching staffs.Now tell me if you have noticed this about the officiating crews that we have had at Gibbs this season. We have had crews made up of men who are either brand new or at the end of their career. Friday night that’s exactly what we had. Two of the refrees have been in the profession no more than 3 or 4 years, 2 were refereeing when I was playing which was almost 20 years ago, and they were old then. The last one has been around a little longer, but not much. I really believe that anyone who can buy a striped shirt and a whistle will be thrown on a field. It has to be the answer because there are a couple new ones that God knows shouldn’t be anywhere near a field doing anything and that includes cutting the grass.
Now, as I stated before, I try not to comment on the officiating, but they were bad. I mean, not just a call or 2, but in every facet of the game. I know that they have been instructed to patrol the coaches box this season. Well, you would think Osama Bin Laden is in the coaches box because of the way they have over emphasized it this season. I mean the guy Friday night paid more attention to the coach and players staying behind the line than he did to the action on the field. Now my theory is that we have a new coaching staff and the powers that be decide that they can send whoever to our games. What do you think? Is that the case or am I just looking at it wrong? I’ve spoken with several people on the issue and it’s not just in football. During the preseason, we had a couple of scrimmages with officials that were on the ball. When any of the coaches had a question it was answered in a profesional manner. They called a game in which they weren’t the focal point.
Next, I have never seen officials that have no tact in dealing with coaches. In the medical field its called bedside manner. Well those officials had none of it. I’ve never see so many questions that the coaching staff had go unanswered by the official. And when they did answer something, they were in such a defensive mode that it just created a much worse situation. I’ve coached and I know when I’ve had a question, good officials come over and explain their answer no matter what it was, not ignore my request or act as if I have no right to ask the question. For some reason, some officials think that adding black and white stripes to their shirt makes them all knowing and without fault. Its really frustrating because you know how hard players and coaches prepare and to have men who are supposed to be professionals treat the game so casualy is appaling and a shame.
Don’t get me wrong, there are still a few good ones out there that will treat the game with the utmost respect and give coaches the same amount of respect. There are some that still take pride in the work. Unfortuanatly, none have found their way to Corryton this season.
Below is the TSSAA official in charge of officials, give him a call and let him know about the state of officiating.
Gene Menees (615) 889-6740
