Loyola Coach Climbs Into Stands But Evades Ejection: Loyola, Md., coach Jimmy Patsos navigated a potentially volatile situation in Boston Nov. 18 without getting ejected. In the process, he opted to seek the advice of his athletic director, who was sitting in the stands behind the bench. In a highly unusual sequence, Patsos first drew the ire of referee John Gaffney midway through the first half of Loyola’s 82-72 loss to Cornell in the NIT Season Tip-off. Gaffney charged Patsos — instead of the Loyola bench — with a technical foul and warned the coach that he would toss him out of the arena if he said another word. Patsos said he did not do anything to initiate the technical in the first place.
Known for having a fiery personality, Patsos opted to let assistant coach Matt Kovarick handle play calling for the remainder of the game. Toward the end of the game, Patsos said, Gaffney switched referee positions to move closer to Loyola’s bench, where he yelled at the coach and his assistants — within earshot of Loyola athletic director Joe Boylan. Completely flustered, Patsos climbed into the stands to consult Boylan, who told the coach to calm down. The game ended without any further incidents.
In an era of heightened coaching decency rules, referees should be held to the same standards as the players and coaches they are regulating. If Patsos did nothing to instigate the situation, Gaffney deserves to be reprimanded for picking a fight and creating a situation in which anyone without the patience of a saint would be likely to cut loose and say or do something that would draw a suspension or fine.
[11/19/08]
