Besides the performance of the Ole Miss offense, arguably the most talked-about aspect of Monday night’s primetime game against Louisville was the amount of targeting calls during the contest.
Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin was not happy that his team was tagged with two targeting ejections in the first half of last night’s win. He voiced his displeasure at the calls with ESPN’s Molly McGrath during his halftime interview.
“We just need this Big Ten officiating crew to teach us how to tackle because obviously, we don’t know how,” Kiffin said.
Well, former NFL referee and NBC rules expert Terry McAulay heard Kiffin’s comments and decided to fire back at the outspoken coach this morning. Basically, McAulay said that the rules are the same as always, and it’s on the refs to enforce them, not teach players to follow them.
“It is not the officials’ job to coach players proper technique,” McAulay wrote. “The rules for targeting have been in place for nine years and most coaches know how to teach. What is a foul for targeting is not going to change.”
It is not the officials’ job to coach players proper technique. The rules for targeting have been in place for 9 years and most coaches know how to teach. What is a foul for targeting is not going to change. (1/4) https://t.co/ZfZJHt8XQX
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) September 7, 2021
McAulay continued his thread, calling Kiffin’s comments “asinine.”
“There should be levels for targeting but asinine comments like this from a major head coach will make it less likely that the CFB Commissioners will alter their stance and allow levels of targeting,” the former referee wrote. “In fact, one reason automatic DQ came into being was that the Commissioners felt too many coaches did not understand the need for proper technique to minimize the risk of serious head/neck injury in 2012.
In fact, one reason automatic DQ came into being was that the Commissioners felt too many coaches did not understand the need for proper technique to minimize the risk of serious head/neck injury in 2012. (3/4)
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) September 7, 2021
Kiffin’s comments may lead them to believe some still don’t get it. And if he’s not going to coach his players properly, then all of his players can all be DQ’d for all they care. (4/4)
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) September 7, 2021
McAulay went on to advocate for a two-tiered targeting system, even saying that he pushed for such a structure for several years.
There is no one who worked harder between 2013-18 than I did to get 2 levels of targeting and despite the numerous high profile plays demonstrating the need for it, the FBS Commissioners refused to even consider it. I hope they listen to you, but I seriously doubt it. https://t.co/6arOgSyzM1
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) September 7, 2021
McAulay is correct that the rules are the rules, but Kiffin is understandably frustrated that his team lost multiple key players to them. Targeting calls will always be subjective, but a two-level amendment to the current guidelines would help.
This way, referees could still eject actual dirty and unsportsmanlike players while allowing guys who were simply caught in a split-second decision to stay in the game after being penalized 15 yards.
The post Former NFL Referee Has Blunt Message For Lane Kiffin appeared first on The Spun.