Question Number: 33544

High School 7/30/2019

RE: High School

George of Boonton, New Jersey USA asks...

When a coach is disqualified from the game and refuses to leave the playing area, the following can occur:

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI George ,
If the coach is dismissed & there was no other authorized school personnel in attendance to tend to the class the match will be suspended, not necessarily forfeited.
Under USA high-school rules a disqualified coach MUST leave the area and have nothing to do with the team, the other team personal will continue in his/her stead should the coach fail in this regard the referee should discontinue the contest and declare it a forfeit.
If a coach, enters or leaves the field of play without permission of an official and interferes with play or an official the correct restart is an DFK, however , if the coach does not interfere with play or an official it is an INDFK. If a coach creates a issue with the ball out of play and is expelled, play restarts with why play was already stopped. Now a coach will likely be cautioned previously & or warned about his duties to adhere to reasonable, respectful behavior & principles of good sportsmanship. It is big deal to expel a coach and the referee should not do so lightly but only if the coach performs in such a way as to cause it! The referee upon deciding to take action and disqualify the coach should call for a timeout. Stopping the clock & suspending all play action.
The referee must explain why the disqualification expulsion is being done then inform the coach must leave the premises (facility) for the remainder of, and after, that contest and may not give any further instruction to, have any further contact with, or confer
with athletes or other members of the coaching staff for the remainder of the
contest. Next the referee will inform the opposing head coach that the coach has
been disqualified and the reason such action was taken
The referee could inform the official scorekeeper before restating the match

The referee must submit a comprehensive written report detailing the event, however he has no say in the the disciplinary penalty which may be assessed against the coach who is disqualified from a match. That is the duty of the disciplinary committee assembled by the NFHS or their state affiliates
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi George
The answer can be found in Rule 12 Section 8.4
A coach who is disqualified shall leave the vicinity of the playing area immediately and is prohibited from any contact, direct or indirect, with the team during the remainder of the game. Failure to comply shall result in termination of the game.