Should Randy Edsall have been flagged for throwing his headset in the air?

Submitted by Muttley on

Yes, to take my mind off of the results on the field, I'm resorting to posting about interesting side technicalities (at least to me).  I'm not trying to imply that we might have won, because I can't muster any emotion for that.  (It's weird watching Michigan with curiosity but without emotion.)

After Maryland's Wes Brown was tackled for a 1 yard gain on 3rd-and-3 with 41 seconds left, the official in charge of starting the playclock did not immediately do so and thus the game was over (Michigan had no timeouts).

As the countdown ensued, Maryland Coach Randy threw his headset 30 feet in the air.

Now if a player had done that with his helmet, a personal foul would have been called, a 15 yard penalty would be assessed, and the clock stopped at ~30 seconds for a 4th-and-17 at the Michigan 35.

Why does the rule not apply to the coach?  Should it?  In fact, Randy Edsall was standing on the field when he did it.

MI Expat NY

November 24th, 2014 at 9:56 AM ^

Nope, no flag. Once the clock is at a point where the game is effectively over, those types of penalties aren't called. For instance, ever see a penalty for the entire team running out on the field before the clock strikes zero? Didn't think so. I think some only think that it may have been a penalty because it looked at first that he wasn't getting the answer he wanted from the official and through his headset up in disgust. That would have been a penalty.

Bando Calrissian

November 24th, 2014 at 10:18 AM ^

I bet the players, just like me, forgot that he did this about ten seconds after it happened. Because there are far more important things about that game than Edsall throwing his headset in the air like it was confetti.

Alton

November 24th, 2014 at 10:21 AM ^

First--the penalty you are asking about is "Unsportsmanlike Conduct," not "Personal Foul."  The Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul is a non-contact foul, signalled by the referee extending his arms to his sides (kind of like a safe signal in baseball).  The Personal Foul call is a contact foul, signalled by the referee chopping his left wrist with his right hand (like a slashing signal in hockey).

Second--no official in his right mind would call that with the game clock ahead of the play clock and Team B with no timeouts left.  It's time for the teams to shake hands and leave the field, and no problem if they their helmets off at that point.

MGoRusty

November 24th, 2014 at 10:22 AM ^

A coach throwing a headset is much much much different than a player throwing his helmet. There's nothing illegal about removing your headset. Atleast he shows emotion.

Magnus

November 24th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^

Yes, he should have been flagged. Obviously, it wouldn't have changed the outcome, but maybe it might cause someone, somewhere to learn from his douchebaggery.

azian6er

November 24th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^

Randy Edsall. AKA:

What . a . fuck . ing . douche . bag .

He reminds me of a grown up adult with serious middle child "look at me" problems. From the way he dresses, acts, speaks, and is.

 

Should there be a penalty? Probably not. But, in the grand scheme of things, who really gives a flying fuck considering what is transpiring with our program.

I will say this, however, Randy, Karma is a fucking bitch. See you next year.

 

 

King Douche Ornery

November 24th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^

Gee, is the universe as sensitive a pussy as a Michigan fan?

Oh, what have the GODS in store for a coach who dares to GET EXCITED???

DESTRUCTION FOR YOU EDSALL! BE DAMNED you fool! How dare you have some fun!!!!

Maybe a car accident which kills his children would suffice?

King Douche Ornery

November 24th, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^

It's really kind of pathetic to see this blog reduced to whinetits crying about a coach being excited to beat, as many here would loudly proclaim, one of the ALL TIME GREATEST college football programs in their house, in their first year in this, as many here would loudly proclaim, STORIED conference.

Sheesh, let the guy have his fun and his day. That this program is so bad--is that what has turned the posters here into crying babies who hate on every other coach in the country?'

Mirror--turn thyself onto this blog--let these fools see themselves as foolish, so they might stop!

 

BursleyHall82

November 24th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^

Yes, it should have been flagged. Maryland would have then opted to punt with 30 seconds left instead of trying the long field goal. Norfleet would have done the same thing he did earlier in the game - taking it to the house - and this time, there would have been no flags. It's 24-23.

Hoke would have polled the seniors, and they would have said we should go for 2 instead of playing for OT. Devin would have run the same brilliant 2-point play he ran in the bowl game, and it would have worked. We would have won, 25-24.

So I think it's perfectly reasonable to assume that if the refs had flagged Edsall, we would have won the game.

Tagg

November 24th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^

That had nothing to do with the fact that Michigan lost to very, very average Maryland team so I couldn't care less about him throwing his headset. Also, who cares if "he looks like a dick" because he won a game that he shouldn't have. 

Badkitty

November 24th, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^

Seriously?

 

We've sunk so low that we're criticizing an opposing coach for celebrating and penalizing the opposing team in garbage time?

Maybe he still sees Michigan as an elite program and by beating us, it means something to him and his program.