Coastal Carolina Coach Criticizes Referee Decisions in College World Series

Coastal Carolina’s head coach, Kevin Schnall, expressed his disappointment with the officiating after his team’s defeat to the LSU Tigers in the Men’s College World Series. His frustrations escalated into his ejection during the first inning following a disagreement with umpire Angel Campos at home plate.

Schnall claimed that his ejection was unwarranted, asserting he was wrongfully accused of making contact with the umpire, who he said stumbled while trying to intervene in the altercation. “When I saw the video, I realized I came in too aggressively and tripped over Campos’ feet,” Schnall explained. “It’s embarrassing, especially in front of a crowd of 25,000. I never hit him.” He added, “It’s too much, really, to hold me accountable for someone else’s athletic misstep.”

He voiced that referees should manage the game with a sense of calm and professionalism, indicating that his ejection felt overly punitive. The NCAA mentioned that Schnall had previously received a warning regarding ball and strike calls during the broadcast of the game.

Following LSU’s victory in Game 2 of the College World Series, Schnall’s suspension is set to commence at the start of the 2026 season. The NCAA stated that Schnall and First Base coach Matt Schilling’s extended arguments throughout the game led to Schnall’s two-game suspension, while Schilling could face a three-game ban due to multiple violations.

Schnall noted that he didn’t hear the first warning from Campos when he was discussing calls at the plate. “As head coach, I felt it was my right to ask for clarification,” he said, adding that it was inappropriate for him to be confronted in such a manner. Coastal Carolina’s athletic director, Chance Miller, criticized the decisions made during the match, suggesting they disrupted the course of a pivotal game for the team.

Miller emphasized the need for a reassessment of refereeing practices, particularly in championship settings, asserting, “This isn’t about a single decision; it’s about the overall process and the standards of professionalism that need to be maintained.” He called for better treatment of student-athletes who depend on their coaches for guidance during crucial moments in their postseason journeys.