Coaching gear for game days

[marriard]

2010, coaching in the Illinois state championship game - Our opponents HC comes to the pregame meeting in grey jeans and black cowboy boots, which he had literally worn for 40+ years coaching, including the day before during the opening round game. Umpires tell him he’ll be restricted to the bench if he coaches in those clothes. He doesn’t budge, and out he comes to coach 3rd at the top of the 1st. Nothing is said, again.

I get it’s a rule, but that one is silly.

You would lose 1/3 of your eval at States if you let this happen as an umpire in Florida (which means no States next year for a start). Frankly, I don't care what happened in the past, nor do I care who you are (or think you are), this is what is happening THIS game.

NFHS 3.5.1:
ART. 3 . . . Any time a coach is in live-ball area to confer with players or an umpire, or to occupy a coach's box, the coach shall be attired in school uniform or jersey/coaching shirt with coaching shorts/slacks or warm-up suits (including fleece warm-ups) in school colors or colors of khaki, black, white or gray. Cut-offs or any type of jeans are prohibited. Jackets are not considered part of the coach's uniform.
PENALTY: (Art. 3) A coach not dressed in appropriate attire shall not be permitted in the field of play following the pregame conference for the duration of the game or until the situation has been remedied.

So yes, there is a 'no jeans rules' in NFHS.
USSSA has a rule that requires a cap must be worn bill-forward
.... and so on.

These rules exist because (like a lot of rules) people can't be trusted to automatically do what is appropriate and apparently need to be told. Such as this guy apparently.

 

[The Man In Blue]

Since @Coach Foster is from PA and playing in IL, I’m guessing it was USA or USSSA.

USSSA says coaches must be “neatly attired”. No penalty prescribed.



USA says:

So as long as he had on a team shirt, I see no problem with his attire by rule. Heck, he doesn’t even really need that.

 

[Coach Foster]

@Westwind - yep, 1A. We won 2-0 that year. That coach was at that school forever. Are you familiar with who I’m talking about?

@The Man In Blue - it was NFHS. We were playing in the IHSA Finals. While I do live in PA now, I coached in Illinois for many years.

I understand there should be attire rules, and am extremely happy we don’t have to wear uniforms, like baseball, but I feel the jeans rule is out dated.

 

[The Man In Blue]

My bad then!

2018? I looked at the brackets and I have heard of one town, but I’m not familiar with either that were in the final.

 

[Coach Foster]

My bad then!

2018? I looked at the brackets and I have heard of one town, but I’m not familiar with either that were in the final.

All good man. It was 2010, seems like forever ago.

 

[Westwind]

@Coach Foster - No but there are some real legends on that list!

 

[marriard]

I understand there should be attire rules, and am extremely happy we don’t have to wear uniforms, like baseball, but I feel the jeans rule is out dated.

It really isn't. You should see what some of these idiots think it is OK to wear. Sometimes you just have to provide rules to regulate the ignorant, the idiots and the unware.

 

[Strike2]

I know some HS coaches who wouldn't look right unless they were dressed as rodeo clowns.

 

[Coach Foster]

It really isn't. You should see what some of these idiots think it is OK to wear. Sometimes you just have to provide rules to regulate the ignorant, the idiots and the unware.

I understand what you’re saying. I guess I’ve been fortunate to coach in areas where coaches understand what is and isn’t appropriate for the field. Other than the story I mentioned, I honestly don’t remember seeing anyone wear anything other than shorts or wind pants and some type of school related shirt or jacket. Maybe it’s because there’s a rule...or maybe it’s because they understand sport culture, who knows. Good conversation though.

 

[uncdrew]

So what's wrong with jeans?

Coaches don't do much of anything athletic while coaching a game. Heck, in basketball they wear suits.