Deseret News | High school football: Ogden assistant accused of slur

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High school football: Ogden assistant accused of slur

B-Ball Coach? | 6:43 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

What is the basketball coach from Bonneville doing as a referee in a game that involves Bonneville to begin with?!?! They can't assign the games like that! Conflict of interest!

Re: B-Ball Coach | 7:43 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

You must not be too familiar with how EVERY high school handles the chains at football games! The "Chain Gang" is ALWAYS from the host school and those on the "Chain Gang" are not considered referees either.

Joe | 7:46 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Get a clue, staff from home schools work the chains at home games at every high school in the state.

Comments continue below

Not a referee | 7:48 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

He was a 'sideline official working the chains'. Those are usually volunteer positions. All they do is move the first down chains up and down the field. They don't wear the referee striped shirts and don't throw flags.

As someone who personally knows Ian & Eric Eyre, I find it hard to believe they would be shouting out racial slurs. I guess some people will hear what they want to hear sometimes.

Hmmm | 8:16 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Are we talking about the same coaches that threatened the band director? Oh, they definitely wouldn't say something like this in the heat of the moment...nobody would right! Garbage...I wouldn't doubt it for one second. Take a look at the track record. One word, HOT HEAD!

Fan | 8:36 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

are these coaches teaching life long lessons to the athletes or just trying to copy short tempered coaches that they see on tv?

Too sensitive | 8:52 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

As a society we need to grow thicker skin. Let's say he called someone a name - big deal. Do we need an article in the paper the next time a 16-yr-old girl flips me off when I'm driving? A dog barked at me this morning - I am so mad. When someone calls me a name, it says something about them, not me. Threats of physical violence or physical violence cannot be tolerated. Call me a name - shame on you. If I lose my temper because you called me a name, shame on me.

??? | 8:55 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Was Finding a sideline judge/official or was he working the chain gang the story is not clear on this. If he was on the chain gang did any of the other chain gang members hear the comment? Why don't we let the district do an investigation before we jump to conclusions.

Racial Slurs | 9:07 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

While I don't condone them, give me a break. Everyone uses them ALL THE TIME and FROM ALL RACES! Its not that big of a deal! Proper or polite or politically correct, OF COURSE NOT. But used all the time by people in every walk of life? OF COURSE IT IS! If we were all honest, we hear them all the time!

Re:Hmmm | 9:24 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

That's two words. Nice Math skills

Excuse me? | 9:26 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

You're comparing a racial slur that everybody can agree is completely inappropriate with a DOG barking at you? A racial slur that, when used by caucasians, is patently offensive. That's it. That's the end of it.

And, for what it's worth, nobody lost their temper. Well, nobody that the comment was aimed at. Finder was on the chain gang, ????

What's the big deal? The big deal is that you don't get it's a big deal.

OHS Fan | 9:33 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Too Sensitive,

I agree that we live in a society that is very sensitive... However... Coaches should be role models for our youth. They should not be hot heads that use racial comments and cuss words to motivate or discipline. Coaches do have a media eye on them, and if they cant act like "adults" then they should find a new career. Wins and losses come and go, but your reputation stays with you... Too bad these guys cant get it together cause they know their football.

"HOT HEAD".... | 9:38 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

is actually two words

To hmmmm | 9:47 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Hot head is 2 words!

To Slur or Not to Slur? | 9:59 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Thick skin or not...that type of behavior shouldn't be condoned. Given the coaching staff's prior history with altercations, I wouldn't doubt it went on. One thing I found interesting with this article (especially dealing with the context of the slurs) is it failed to mention the ethnicity of the accuser (the side-line judge).

To word counters | 10:54 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Get a life!

Concerned!! | 11:05 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

First of all it is Competitive not Hot Head!!! The conflict was over the "Football Field" notice the description, "Not the Band Field". And tell the Chain Gang to work the chains and keep their mouths shut, Some things are uttered in a game that has no true meaning just frustration and heat of the moment. So tell chain gangs to just move chains and be reverant!!!!!

re too sensitive | 11:14 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Obviously you are caucasian and being called a deragtory word based off of the color of your skin is a lot more offensive then being flipped off!!! But then again someone who has never had to deal with racism would not understand that there are big differences between being flipped off or cussed at as opposed to being certain terms simply because of your race. Now whether or not the coach said anything is yet to be determined, but being too sensitive is not the case here.

B-VILLE LAKER. | 11:17 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

some people have no respect!

Innocent until Proven Guilty | 11:50 a.m. Sept. 30, 2009

I sure hope I'm never accused of doing such a thing, particularly if I didn't do it. Let's give the process a chance to determine what really happened. I have coached youth for 16 years and have often wondered what I would do if I were ever falsely accused of inappropriate behavior. I hope those commenting on this story wouldn't be my judge and jury.

Sad... | 12:19 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Its sad that someone is guilty until proven innoscent in our society. Coach Ian is a good young coach who cares about his players black, white, brown, or whatever.

Further, you should guys should read into the fact that Weber School District and Bonneville HS aren't pushing the issue. There isn't one person, including the sideline ref, other guys on the chain crew, or anyone on the OHS sideline who can substantiate this claim.

For all of you people taking pot shots from the cheap seats: Are you willing to take on the responsibilities any of these teachers and coaches take on and demonstrate such a better example? If not, then your opinion doesn't mean much.

Utah | 12:56 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

what do you expect!!

Facebook | 1:32 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

From Ogden Head Coach Eric Eyre's facebook status:
"Eric Eyre: thinks his life would easier if Ogden High wasn't winning football games"

Re: Sad | 2:03 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

I currenly am a assistant coach at a h.s in Weber County and I have seen some very bad behavior among coaches around the state. If that coach is winning you would be surprised at what they are able to get away with. I am not saying this coach is guilty I am just not surprised by the whole story.

Coaches as role models, lets face they are no better a role model than T.O. or Roger Clemens

Great Coach | 2:04 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Eric is a Great Coach that has the respect of his kids. This is a case where accusations are being made about what his brother, an assistant, "mutterered".
Before anybody jumps to the conclusion that the Ogden Football Program is sponsered by the KKK let the process take its course. In the meantime look at where that program was two years ago and where it is today. While Eric might not be the most refined Coach in the world he has had an overall positive effect on those kids he coaches. As somebody who has spent time around the program prior to Erye's arrival and after he has my full support.

I hope so | 2:14 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Well I hope this coach does not make this mistake and mouth off to the Bulldogs this week........

Quit Coach | 2:17 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Eric... Do us all a favor and just quit... The kids could use a good role model... maybe we could get OJ Simpson to come coach...

Anonymous | 2:51 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

or get Coach Dalton back...I can't believe anyone would say that

Coach | 2:56 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Come on Coach Eyre...This has nothing to do with winning games. You are producing wins. However, I have witnessed how this coach treats his players and I am not surprised one bit by this article. Nor am I surprised that he tried to fight the band director. He needs to relax. He needs to be respectful. He needs to enjoy his sucess and quit getting in the paper. There are a lot of winning programs and we don't see articles on those coaches. Good luck the rest of the year. And check yourself every once and awhile. Quit acting like a victim.

Re: Quit Coach | 3:05 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Before you run your mouth on here you should get your facts straight. Eric isn't accused of anything! Secondly, the allegation against Ian Eyre is unsubstantiated by anyone who was in a position to have heard what was said. Thirdly, UHSAA regulations state that chain crews are not to communicate with the opposing coaches except through game officials, this was not done. Instead, he writes a letter to the Bonneville Coach with his allegation. If you were capable of rational thought you would obviously have kept your worthless 2 cents to your self!

Great Coach=Winning Coach? | 3:18 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

I don't think so. The point of this whole story isn't whether the Ogden Football Program is winning or not. Greatness is not defined by wins or losses. Kudos to Eric and his staff for turning the program around. No one is questioning that. The heart of the matter is coaching conduct. I, too, have also coached athletics in a couple of districts across the state. Do you know how many times I've seen the Head man suspend players for player misconduct? I've seen kids get benched and suspended for minor infractions such as excessive tardiness, truancy, or citizenship problems in the classroom. A well-ran program handles these situations (involving student-athlete or coaching staff) appropriately...not by giving the issue lip-service and giving the benefit of the doubt; even if it is a family member. And I'm sorry--but booting the "N' word in any context is never appropriate.

clarification | 3:34 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Chain crews ARE officials.

Re: Great Coach=Winning Coach | 3:56 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Well said. Coaching is about building kids and teaching them how to have character. That character hopefully is a reflection of how the coaches act and coach, both on the field and off. I firmly believe that teams take on the personality of their coach, and that is evident by the discipline or lack of that a coach/team exemplifies during competition. Hopefully this accusation isn't true but if it is, that coach should probably be let go

to Re: Quit Coach | 4:12 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Okay, Ian. i don't care if it is against the rules or not, I hope anyone who overheard you say those things would have the integrity and ethics to break a rule and set you straight. One thing is for certain here, you will never be in the same category of coach as Thom Budge was.

game film | 4:14 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

i imagine the game was being filmed by at least both high school teams. Maybe one of them caught the incident on tape.

to: clarification | 5:31 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

Chain Crews at high school games are NOT officials, they are volunteers. Have you ever been one? I have been one several times, and sometimes they just get someone out of the crowd and tell them what to do right before the game!

hey | 5:56 p.m. Sept. 30, 2009

some coaches even let their players keep playing after beating a fellow student...you can fool some of the people.....be real and or don't deal!!

laker parent | 12:17 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009

I just wanted to say we have come to know coach Finder well over the past year. He is a very honest person and would never say something that wasnt true, or didnt happen. He had a right to say something to the coach when he heard that, there is no place for the n word, or any other racial comment! Ogdens coaches have proven to be great coaches, but also hot heads that need to calm down. To win is great, but its not everything! Coaches need to be a role model for the kids, and Finder has been one for ours, on and off the court!

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