Karl Hess won't be paroling the court for the ACC the rest of the season.
News came down today that the ACC has cut ties with NCAA Basketball referee Karl Hess. Hess has been widely known to anyone that is a frequent viewer of top flight college basketball for many years. He is notorious, infamous, and anything but popular. But there are several layers to his no longer working that need to be further explored.
First, I am not a basketball referee. I am a sports official however. If you follow me regularly you have probably seen me tweeting about officiating during NCAA Football games. I am a high school football, lacrosse, and baseball official in Massachusetts. Massachusetts is one of the few states that uses NCAA Football rules for all high school contests, which is why I am so familiar with those rules. I've done varsity games for all three sports, and I've been doing it for more than a few years, so I'd like to think at this point I know a lot about the mindset of officials and what it takes to be an official at a high level. It is with that background that I come at this analysis.
The problem is why Karl Hess was removed from his position though. Most news outlets are reporting that it was due to a comment he made at a the Wake Forest - Louisville game, quoted below.
Now, Hess himself said that this was meant to be taken as a joke. I'm not going to try and parse if that was or wasn't a joke. Giving Hess the benefit, I'll say that it was meant to be taken as a joke. Even if that was the case, the ACC did the correct thing and remove him because even without any malice behind that statement, you just can't say those kinds of things today.Karl Hess to me at the Wake-Louisville game tonight..."When I'm older, I want to sit in your seat & watch your Egyptian ass ref a game" #Wow — Mit Shah (@MitShahNoble) January 5, 2015
There was also one report that stated it was due to the technical foul he issued to Mark Gottfried with 15:58 on the clock in the first half on December 14th. This was the first NC State game for Hess in about three years, since the widely known incident where he threw out two famous NC State alums and was reprimanded by the ACC for doing so. This latest technical was reportedly (and I have no doubt this is true) after being told by his supervisor to take it easy in the game. This makes absolute sense to me that his assigner would remind him to go easy considering the last time he was there was the Gugliotta and Corchiani incident. But within the first five minutes of the game he issued a technical foul. If anything, this should have been the reason to end his relationship with the conference. It's problematic it had to be the other reason.
It goes back to my point I've held all season that there is simply not enough accountability for the officials that most directly impact a game far more than any other sport. Officiating basketball is the hardest job an official can have. It is a fast game, and a lot of judgment needs to be used. It's a lot harder to judge a block versus a charge than say a false start or a block in the back in a football game. But this is an official that has repeatedly had issues on the court, not only for the calls he has made in terms of basketball fouls, but the overall spectacle that his officiating has become.
No one should know who Karl Hess is. The only reason you should even know an official's name is because they are respected by their peers and coaches. If you do know their name, chances are it's because they've blown one and it cost your team a game. Now, I say that with a grain of salt, knowing full well that 99.99999999% of the time one call does not a game make, correct or not. 100% of the time a call is made in good faith. I hate to break it to you, but I don't think Karl Hess or any of his fellow officials care of Michigan State beats Iowa, etc., etc., etc. There is no grand conspiracy. There is no betting. There is no malice. Those that think there is are genuinely dumb and probably should give up on watching all sports completely and just watch the WWE instead. (That all goes double for me reffing your kid's JV lacrosse game) But the fact that Karl Hess has become such a figure in popular culture among basketball fans, and even has the nickname "King Karl", should tell you just how much of a problem his officiating has become. If one referee blows a call, even a HUGE call, yes it will still follow them, but they don't draw the ire or notoriety that Karl Hess has attained over the last several years. And a completely unbiased look at it (or even a biased look shading on the side that the officials are correct a vast majority more than they are wrong [which is true]) would even show that Karl Hess is not as good of an official as his resume would let on. Otherwise you would have no idea who he is and there wouldn't be Grantland articles written about him.
And the worst part is, if you look overall, his (for lack of a better term) success rate is probably lower than a decent chunk of his partners, and possibly even more than some talented officials working D2 or 3 looking to move up. When you can fill out a Top Ten list of controversial moments in your officiating career, all of which are from 2012 on, you have some problems. Especially Hess was one of the officials selected to do the Final Four after the Gugliotta and Corchiani incident in 2013.
My point is, it isn't some off handed joke that contained a racial remark that should have done Hess in. It should have been the quick T or any other on court mistakes. Officials are meant to administer the game, make sure it advances as scheduled, in a orderly manner and so that it is fair to all participants. Part of that is knowing and enforcing the rules. Part of that is being in the best position to make calls. Part of that is judgement and interpreting what you see at lightening speed, deciding, and reacting to it accordingly. No where in any of that criteria is issuing technical fouls because you don't like a coach who hasn't seen you in three years because you messed it up three years ago. There are very clear guidelines and interpretations for what should and should not be a technical. I can't imagine would could happen in a game that early that could earn a technical foul that quickly. In 2012, after the NC State incident and being officially reprimanded by the ACC, he worked seven more ACC Conference games, 12 games in other conferences (mostly Big East/SEC), three Big East Tournament games, three NCAA Tournament games (including an Elite 8) and an NIT game. That is the definition of zero accountability. Even if after that reprimand he didn't work ACC games, that's still a ton of other games he could do, not to mention just picking up other smaller leagues instead of ACC games. And after all that, he got postseason assignments. It seems only when alleged racial comments are made, will other leagues go to bat with the first league that decides to freeze a guy out.
People often say "I didn't pay to see you officiate". That's right. You came to see a game. Officials are just part of it. Sometimes I think that notion is lost on some of the guys at the very top of the officiating pyramid. Both top officials, and their supervisors. I'll never rag on an official for being highly demonstrative when making a call. That theater is part of selling the call, a necessary and valuable part of any official's game. But it's when you start letting the little things bug you, that's when you need to know it's time to hang it up. Hess either was never that think skinned to begin with, or his ego got the better of him. People slip. Just ask Jim Burr (although he literally walked off the court during the BET with time on the clock and only had to sit out the rest of that postseason and picked right back up in the Big East the following season [again, where is the accountability?]). Knowing when to hang it up is just as important a call for an official as the goaltending call in the National Championship. It seems Hess may have missed that chance.
While I am certain that Karl Hess was once a good Division 1 basketball official at some point, it is clear that he should not be working the games he is working. He either should have been assigned less high profile games, less games total, or gotten assignments with non-Power 5 conferences instead. The worst part is, I don't have too many suggestions for how to make the system better anyway, other than the league assigners taking a serious soul searching and telling colleagues and friends that they are doing things on the court that shouldn't be done and assigning less games or more training accordingly. While the ACC, and now the American Athletic Conference has stated that Hess will no longer referee games for them, the Big East is conducting its own investigation before they make a determination. The Supervisor of Officials for the Big East is former Big East official John Cahill. He's known Hess for a number of years and worked with him plenty. I actually do have complete faith that Cahill won't employ him either. But the problem is most of the people that become supervisors are then supervising their friends and former colleagues. Therefore, they are very resistant to do anything but say "hey you missed one" when in actuality Hess probably should have faced a suspension a while ago, instead of just not doing the ACC Tournament (which he ended up doing the Big East Tournament so who cares if you're him anyway?) Just another part of the structure of college basketball officiating that has a built in flaw. But again, what is the solution? How can one man or office, like the NCAA, review, evaluate, and promote, demote, or suspend officials with any sort of efficiency or competency? That is why the conference supervisors are given the autonomy. So can basketball officiating be fixed? With 32 conference supervisors filling their games with a nationwide pool of officials, and officials not restricted to only working 1 or 2 conferences, people can just float along getting as many games as they want essentially without any checks other than someone watching game film and saying good call or bad call.
We all love college basketball. And sadly Hess meets a tragic end. I'm sure he may work again. None of the articles or comments I've seen have made it clear if the ACC is done employing Hess forever or just for the remainder of this season. Or if the American or other leagues will do the same. But one thing is clear, Hess was long overdue for some sort of discipline from the ACC. Maybe if some better system was in place it wouldn't have even gotten to where it is now.
Labels: ACC, ACC YA, Basketball, NCAA, Officials
Syracuse students agree: Now a win would REALLY be nice.
What a rough week for Syracuse. Although I've addressed my issues with the Duke game here, Syracuse deserved to lose the BC game. They just didn't have it. That's fine. I can live with that. Either way, Syracuse had the o-fer last week so they need to step it up tonight.
Syracuse takes on a Maryland team that he heading for "greener pastures" in the Big "Ten". Maryland isn't that great of a team on paper, but they have been really good at home. They are 5-1 in ACC play at home and 10-3 at home overall. They are a tough group to play. Syracuse has obviously played up and down on the road, but really it comes down to who shows up. Both Trevor Cooney and Tyler Ennis were essentially non-factors against Duke, and really in the last couple of games (both losses). One of them has to contribute. CJ Fair even had a middle of the road game at Duke and it was Grant that was really the only one carrying the load, hitting pretty spectacular shots in the lane again and again. Couple that with either of the big men missing bunnies after pulling down tons of offensive rebounds and you get a recipe for disaster. Either Cooney hits some shots tonight, Ennis drives more, or both. But if one doesn't manage to step up, in combination with CJ and Grant, then the game is done. Maryland, like Duke, has a few players that can hit outside shots, so people making shots for Syracuse is a must. The defense will again do their part and show up, but you still have to have more on the scoreboard than your opponent at the end of the night. Foul trouble wasn't the biggest problem at Duke but Syracuse has to be mindful because in a tight game you can't rely on Keita to get offensive production. Only defense. Either way, if Cooney is hitting shots, Syracuse should win. Same with Ennis driving the basket or making good passes. If not, Syracuse will come up short again. I think they do recover and thrive in the loud atmosphere that will be going on in College Park. I'll take the Orange by 13.
This game is available nationally on ESPN / Watch ESPN at 7:00pm. Both John and I will again be around. Hopefully things will go better this evening. Again, if you missed my Duke recap check it out with the link above.
This game is available nationally on ESPN / Watch ESPN at 7:00pm. Both John and I will again be around. Hopefully things will go better this evening. Again, if you missed my Duke recap check it out with the link above.
Labels: ACC, ACC YA, Basketball, Preview
Soak it in.
Somewhere Jake Crouthamel is smiling. Not because he likes what is going on, but because he was right about it. Most likely, because of the PAC 12 and the ACC there will be about 4 "superconferences" instead of six conferences. Jake predicted it. Finishing off a pack of cigarettes as he sits on his porch in New England somewhere. Watching the demise of the conference he helped form.
And it's sad. Since 1979 the Big East has been around and has been the greatest basketball conference in America for a majority of that time. Syracuse, Georgetown, Connecticut, Villanova, St. Johns, and all the other teams before the first ACC realignment... they were part of my childhood, my collegiate career, and everything after. My first trip to the Carrier Dome was to see Syracuse/Georgetown when I was in elementary school. Just like that, conference ties can be forsaken. After a year or so of seeing the shifting occur, and witnessing the shift in the last decade, it is bizarre to be seeing it from this side of the fence. Part of the traitors, the defectors, the ones that are part of the problem and not the solution. I say that as a fan because we all know I had nothing to do with it personally. There's really only one person to blame. That is the current commissioner of the Big East Conference. He sat around and "made phone calls" and hung around to "see if Villanova will move up" instead of getting on the phone and signing teams to the league in the future. So in that regard I'm glad Syracuse has determined a safe course for the future. But we will be losing a lot of familiar things too. We all know Syracuse will schedule Georgetown, and probably UConn and St. John's every year in basketball anyway. But most likely unless there is a conference move to the ACC, West Virginia and UConn are gone from the football schedule. Same with Rutgers. No more Providence or Notre Dame for basketball. I could watch just about any Big East Basketball game any given Saturday. Can't see myself being like that for the ACC. Clemson/Virginia doesn't rev my engine like St. John's/Villanova from the Garden. Not to mention the Big East Tournament. Remember '06? '09? Yeah, the stuff of legends. While there is a waiting period to leave the Big East chances are a lawsuit or a settlement will get Pitt and SU out of that and we'll be playing ACC games before you know it. Just my opinion. But the lawyers at the schools have to the thinking the same thing. Lacrosse will get a fun change up, so that's cool though.
For our new ACC friends, just a couple rules. First, say what you want about our football team and how good or not good they are, but you better think twice about saying disparaging things about Jim Boeheim. He's been around long enough to say whatever he wants, he knows more than you, and the man will be defended vigorously by any and all Syracuse fans. Syracuse has pretty good barbecue. Just saying. Finally, Syracuse has the most NCAA Championships in lacrosse than any school in the nation. Your sham of a "lacrosse conference" finally got legit.
Really, it boils down to the fact that I can't change anything about what went down. No use being sad about it. The only option is to look back fondly. I'll say to my kids one day that there was the greatest basketball conference ever called the Big East, and Syracuse was in it and it was amazing. Then things changed. By then we'll know if it was for the better or just another lateral maneuver. Either way, Marrone, Boeheim, and Desko are going to try and win games no matter what league they are in. That's all you can ask for. And don't worry, we'll still hate UConn and Georgetown plenty around here.
Labels: ACC YA, Crazy Conference Calamity
As I sit here at about 2:30pm on September 17, 2011, the talk of the town (well, the interwebs anyway) isn't focused on the big football game tonight between Syracuse and Southern California. Instead, we're all abuzz with word that Syracuse and Pittsburgh have applied for membership in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
First reported late last night by New York Times reporter Pete Thamel, my initial reaction was "NOOOOOOO!" I was hoping he was wrong, that his source was drunk on a Friday night. But now, over 15 hours later, this story has picked up traction and it seems inevitable.
To serve as some background, the ACC raided the Big East some eight years ago by grabbing Boston College, Virginia Tech, and Miami. Syracuse had been in that conversation initially, and our collective sigh of relief when we remained in the Big East could have blown down Nancy Cantor's then yet-to-be-built wall. At that early time, the ACC saw how important it was to have a 12-school league to allow for the football championship game. The Big Ten, also eager to play a championship game, created its own television network and went out to add a twelfth member (Nebraska). Same with the Pac-10, who added Colorado and Utah. This left the Big 12 with ten members and no championship game. In the process, Texas created its own TV network, which evidently hasn't sat well with the league's other nine schools. Meanwhile, Texas Christian University, a member of the non-BCS conference Mountain West, was accepted to join the Big East beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, giving the conference nine football schools and 17 basketball schools. Then, Big 12 member Texas A&M decided it wanted to move to greener pastures, gave the Big 12 its notice, and applied and was accepted into the Southeastern Conference. While this was all happening, the Big East reportedly was in talks with some remaining members of the Big 12, namely Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Baylor. I figured they would eventually see the writing on the wall that the Big 12 was destined to die, and they'd jump to the Big East. We'd be sitting pretty, especially with the lure of the league's TV contract expiring and the prospect of landing a huge deal.
But, that didn't happen. Any "talking" the Big East had with those Big 12 schools wasn't good enough. It's like having the engagement ring in your pocket, seeing the perfect time to propose to your girlfriend, and then just kind of looking at her paralyzed. So, credit to the Presidents/ADs for Syracuse and Pittsburgh for realizing that hey, our league's not doing what it has to do to survive, so we have to look out for ourselves.
And that's exactly how I see it.
I'm not happy that this likely spells the end of the road for the Big East. I hate that we're becoming everything we hated on when BC/VTech/Miami left. I hate that the ACC wins. But, I love that Syracuse won't be left out in the cold in the conference shakeup madness.
And so, life goes on. We have a nationally televised game tonight against the once-mighty Trojans. We're all upset-minded, so I guess it seems fitting that Syracuse & Pitt upset the Big East today. But let's start looking forward to the future... we get to renew that yearly rivalry with Boston College! I mean, they can now be conference games again. And Coach K now will be required to play Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. And, let's admit, the ACC lacrosse conference will be so much better than the Big East lacrosse conference. Plus, don't think for a second that Georgetown and UConn won't be on our basketball schedule every year.
We'll have much more conference expansion talk here on Orange::44 as more details are confirmed. But, we're living in a bright new world today. Enjoy it.
Labels: ACC YA
Boston College - Syracuse Postgame Reactions OR The Outhouse Outplayed Us
0 Comments Published on 11.30.2010 by Brian Harrison
In this picture clearly Syracuse is Charlie Brown.
There were high hopes for the last game of the season. Unfortunately Syracuse played their worst game of the season against an old rival, and of course it was in the Carrier Dome. Let us just go straight to the analysis.Offense
D-
Ryan Nassib (15/24, 147yds, 0 TD, 1 INT) was dreadful. Even worse than the last game. It was a fitting end to his day to get intercepted. He repeatedly overthrew or underthrew his receivers and continues to show little skill in evading defenders closing in on his pocket by stepping forward like he did in earlier games. Delone Carter was banged up for most of the second half, so the majority of runs rested on Antwon Bailey. While he stepped in nicely (18car, 72yds, 4.0avg, 1 TD), he was unable to consistently gain 2 yards on command, which was a problem when trying to convert on third and short. The bright spot in the offense was the wide receivers who were fairly consistent in catching fairly well thrown balls. Marcus Sales was again the MVP for the receiving corps, earning 73yds on five receptions. The offensive line did pretty well, but I’m definitely on board with thinking a division 1 center should be able to do a shotgun snap. Honestly, had it not been for the touchdown drive to start the second half this unit would have received an F. 2-9 on third downs and 238 total yards is pathetic after some of the games Syracuse played earlier in the season. And for this to continually happen at home is odd and ridiculous. The offense has regressed and it was pretty hard to watch them struggle. It looked like 2007 all over again.
Defense
D
Not one of the proudest days for this tough defense. To allow another team to simply continue to run the ball (with yet another backup running back I might add, again) was another regression for this team. BC’s running back carried 42 times, earned 185 yards, and a touchdown. And he earned it on basic runs to the outside, through holes, and moving the chains on third and short. BC converted 11-18 third downs. That is embarrassing honestly.
Special Teams
D
A week after firing their special teams coordinator and I suppose this game was evidence that that move was a correct one. The special teams were very special in earning around four penalties to bring the team back to a more difficult starting field position, negating any real good special team plays. Rob Long, once and for all, derailed his Heisman bid after shanking one punt real bad, and moderately shanking another. Ross Krautman never had to attempt a field goal but he was perfect on his extra point. He’s clearly the MVP of the special teams on the season. But a bad Saturday for everyone on this game.
Coaching
C
The fact that Syracuse lost this game was not that of the coaches or their plans. But to have taken virtually no shots down the field, including any in the final drive before the interception, to extend the vertical passing game seems foolish. Especially when the wide receivers have had a couple good games recently. Then there was not going for it on fourth down with just over five minutes to go. I’ve heard his explanation about playing percentages, and what makes sense in terms of a rational argument. However, when you are down two scores you have to score either way, and with time ticking down it seems that scoring earlier has to be the priority and the most likely percentage for success. Not going for it at that point is still pretty mind boggling to me.
GPA
D+ (1.175)
This game was pretty terrible to see, especially in the second half. Syracuse looked like a shell of it’s former self and I can only assume it has to be due to the players being mentally and physically banged up, along with the pressure and motivation meeting their goal of a bowl game being nonexistent because it was met. Either way, it’s a good thing Syracuse can take a week or two off and then have a bunch of extra practices in preparation for a bowl game. They will need it. But hey, the Bronx will be fun right?
Intangibles
B+ to the crowd, the biggest of the season. Syracuse didn’t really gain any benefits from the extra loud crowd except BC burning a time out or two, but it was fun in the first half, and good to see.
Football is done for now, but not done for the year. Stay tuned later this week for some reactions on how the Big East could shake out, the TCU business, and possible bowls for the Big East. We’ll find out the official bowl list on the 4th, but it seems all but certain Syracuse will be bowling in the Bronx. Either way, it’s pretty good to see us bowling and earning a winning season. I guess it’s even better that we’re really disappointed with how we played at home and the end of the season as it shows just how far we’ve come.
Labels: ACC YA, Football, Soul Crushing Defeat
Every true Syracuse fan remembers this game fondly.
Syracuse’s Big East campaign is done for the 2010 season. But there is one game remaining on the schedule. Syracuse renews an old Big East rivalry against Boston College, a team that left the conference in one of the must underhanded and sneaky dealings in college sports in recent memory. Syracuse decided to insure that it would not be a pleasant exit as Syracuse beat Boston College both in the Carrier Dome and in Massachusetts in their last regular season meetings. The added bonus was the final game in Massachusetts stopped Boston College from winning the Big East Championship and going to the BCS game. It also put Syracuse in a four way tie for the Big East and got them to bowl eligible. While not as much as stake in this game, there is still pride and the fact Syracuse would like to beat a BCS team at home this season.
Syracuse is coming off of their worst offensive performance of the season against Connecticut last week. Connecticut was a team very much like Syracuse. They ran the ball first, and then passed when needing too. That is exactly how Boston College is. They run the ball, and have found little success in the air. This is a defensive team and the offense will be the big question, much like Syracuse. However, unlike Syracuse, Boston College is missing their star tailback Montel Harris, who was injured in last week’s game and could be out up to six weeks. That means it’s up to QB Chase Retting, who has 7 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on the year, and backup RB Andre Williams, who has yet to score this season and has only amassed 225yds on 35 carries on the season. This is the perfect opportunity to shine. Syracuse had an absolutely embarrassing offensive performance last weekend, and they need to end the year on a high note. I think they will, because they cannot play this badly at home against decent teams the entire year. It doesn’t make any sense. Syracuse should rebound. Look for Syracuse to take some bigger shots in this game than then did or attempted to do in the last one. Limiting mistakes will be the key to this game. Whoever commits the most turnovers should lose this one. Additionally, Syracuse really got in trouble with penalties last weekend, so being focused and not holding or false starting is paramount to offensive success on the day. I expect both Delone Carter and Antwon Bailey to carry the load on the day and get Syracuse to a magical eight win number. Syracuse over Boston College in a classic eastern rivalry 20 to 17.Syracuse will be featured on ESPN at 12:00pm this Saturday. That’s right, the flagship. Hopefully Syracuse will enjoy a nice win in the Carrier Dome as you enjoy the warmth of the Carrier Dome, or leftovers in your living room. Check out John’s article on the recent games between Syracuse and Boston College here, and he’ll be back in a bit to preview the Michigan basketball game later this evening. Until then… BC sucks and always will.
Labels: ACC YA, Football, Outhouse On The Hill, Rivalries