Bobref

So, we are at the point in the conversation where we can begin to closely scrutinize the coaches’ vote to determine whether it serves the goals we’ve identified for the process. It’s clear that, in the selection and advancement process, the vote is the primary differentiator between about 75% of the crews out there, since the experience, test score, meeting attendance, etc., factors are easily satisfied by most crews. First, here’s how the vote works: Schools are sent a list of all the crews that have applied for the tournament. Schools are instructed to assign a score from 1-5 to crews that have worked games involving the school in the previous 3 seasons, plus whatever portion of the current season has been completed. Schools are given the following guidelines when they rate crews: 5 State Ready: The official/crew exhibits excellent communication skills, NFHS/IHSAA approved mechanics, arrives at the contest site mentally and physically prepared, demonstrates excellent game management, and has control of the contest by making consistent calls from beginning to the end and can work the highest level in the tournament. 4 Semi State Ready: The official/crew displays very good communication skills, and is in position to make most calls. The official manages the game well and has control of the contest, but not at the highest level. 3 Regional Ready: official/crew demonstrates adequate rules knowledge and acceptable game management. Communication with coaches and players is acceptable but needs more experience to work the higher levels of the tournament. 2 Sectional Ready: The official/crew has the ability, rules knowledge and communication skills to work the lowest level of the tournament. Improvement in one or more of these areas is required for advancement 1 Not Tournament Ready: The official/crew is unable to adequately demonstrate the skill level, communication, judgment, mechanics, and rules knowledge expected for the tournament. Game management needs improvement in order to officiate a tournament contest. Note: Schools that submit a rating of 1 must provide specific feedback via a dropdown menu. While the IHSAA requires every school to turn in a vote, and they can only rate officials they’ve seen in the last 3+ seasons, there is no requirement that the school rate every crew they’ve seen over that period. Next: The flaws in the coaches’ vote as a measure of officiating proficiency.

Not surprising. The 5 best teams in that conference have played a total of 2 games against non-conference opponents. Not much for Sagarin’s algorithms to latch on to.

Yesterday vs. Navy was the first time I’ve seen Jack Coan play live. He clearly has limitations. He’s a serviceable QB, but no more. He took 2 drive-killing sacks, and both were absolutely his fault. Both times he had unblocked rushers at the line of scrimmage pre-snap and didn’t get out of the play, change the protection, or get the ball to a hot receiver. I watched his head on pass plays and he clearly locks on his target at the snap and is not going through progressions very often. Half of his completions were to running backs. His chief asset is he doesn’t turn it over. He’s not going to lose games for them, but he’s not going to win any, either. He’s a placeholder until Kelly’s willing to trust the freshman Buchner with the ball on the minus side of the 50.

You can be sure that the crew chief made a lengthy report to the IHSAA before ever hitting the hay that night. As the game was terminated at that point, you should be aware that the officials nevertheless retain jurisdiction over the game for as long as it takes to complete any “administrative duties” associated with the contest. That means they can go to their locker room after the game was terminated, compare notes as a crew, and retroactively disqualify players if warranted.

I hope that is true.

Glad they got it right. A great game deserves great officiating.

I am unaware of this procedure. My experience is if a kid is disqualified, he’s out for the rest of that game, and all of the next regardless of when he was disqualified.

Fans will always be fans. Nothing new here.

I’m not sure of the logic here. If anything, the Mercy Rule use should be more limited, not less, during the playoffs. The IHSAA apparently feels the same way, since the Mercy Rule is not applied at the finals.

Both things can be true, you know. 🤣😂

We’re hanging on every word.

Loser mentality.

Coming home today from a week in Mexico, and I plan to expound a bit on this theme very soon. But let me point out first that there is another reason the IHSAA uses the coaches’ vote: the IHSAA is a member institution. It caters to its members. Schools are members. Officials are not. Naturally, the IHSAA is more interested in keeping its members happy than in keeping non-member officials happy.

Green bean casserole = 🤮🤢 Roasted Brussels sprouts = 😋

Maybe because he’s … I don’t know … a douchebag?

You’ll have to ask the family.

I attended St. Edward in Lakewood, OH for 3 years before moving to Indiana. Our mascot was an eagle. We actually had a live golden eagle, as private citizens couldn’t own a bald eagle. Used to fly it from one end of the gym to the other at home basketball games. Sort of like Air Force does with their falcon.

Yes, I remember having a brief but spirited discussion with a coach once after a roughing the passer on a halfback pass.

Yes, but was it “all in?”

Now we’ve just got to keep anyone from flipping him over the next year. Anyone know if he’s an early enrollee candidate?

As long as Illinois remains a sh*t show, they’ll continue moving in to south Lake County.

No, no! We are not allowed to learn from the experiences in other states. I believe Indiana is a Potawatomi Indian word that means “reinvent the wheel.”

Hanover Central has a great young coach who has done a wonderful job there. But I think LC got a good guy with their hire, and I think that program will rebound.

He has a brother now in 8th grade who will go next year to Hanover Central, a real up and coming program. Stay tuned.