Thoughts On Meyer’s Fine
November 6th, 2009 ║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Tags: Florida
Just a few quickie thoughts on the SEC’s decision to fine Urban Meyer $30,000 for his comments about an officiating call earlier this week:
1. Will Pat Dooley of The Gainesville Sun have to chip in some of that cash? He’s the man who specifically asked Meyer about the call during the SEC’s weekly teleconference.
2. In my view, the fine is best summed up as “a proportional response.” Meyer didn’t question the integrity of officials (as Lane Kiffin and Bobby Petrino had) and he didn’t call out a specific official (as Dan Mullen had). However, when you’re going to have a suspension/fine policy rather than a reprimand policy, any talk at all has to result in a suspension/fine.
3. Yeah, yeah, “What’s $30,000 to Meyer?” I know. That’s already popping up on the internet. I can tell you this — I know of no more penny-pinching group of people than coaches. They pay attention to what other coaches make. They always want raises and extensions regardless of their record. I know of one who even negotiated free cell phone usage as part of his buyout. Like a millionaire can’t cover his own Verizon bill? This fine is steep, even if it is being dumped on a millionaire. It’s not a $10,000 fine. It’s $30,000. And it isn’t a fine for Florida, it’s a fine for Florida’s coach.
4. There’s nothing wrong with the SEC having a “don’t publicly criticize the officials” rule. Every league and conference does. It’s a way to protect the integrity of the game. That’s why it’s in place. A coach criticizing officials has more influence than some fan doing likewise on a call-in show or in a chatroom. Leagues can’t have their own members making accusations in the press. There is a behind-the-scenes process available for schools and coaches to make complaints. In private, they can scream all they like. But to do so publicly creates doubt about the legitimacy of games in the minds of rabid fans. Can you name me one league where coaches are allowed to rip referees each week? There’s not one.
5. That said, the commissioner still needs to put out a clear memo explaining what types of comments will draw what types of penalties. Bad mouth an official — a suspension. Question a call — a fine. Bad mouth another coach — a suspension. There needs to be a clear understanding by both the coaches AND the fans as to what the commissioner (and the 12 presidents and athletic directors) have in mind.
6. In a day when sports passions have risen to never-before-seen levels, officials get more negative feedback, hate mail, prank calls and threats than ever before. When these men — who work to get in shape, work to know the rules, and work for not-that-much cash — can be subjected to so much guff in their private lives, it is absolutely essential that the league handle officiating issues behind closed doors.
7. If not for a “don’t criticize the officials” rule, every losing coach speaking after a game would point to every missed call in that game and insinuate that “this one was stolen.” A coach — who’s making millions of dollars — would much rather have fans screaming for officials’ heads than his own.
To sum up…
A fair penalty.
A necessary rule.
But the league needs to clarify the rule further.
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