Coastal Carolina Coach Reacts to Referee Decisions in College World Series

Kevin Schnal, the head coach of Coastal Carolina, expressed dissatisfaction with how a referee managed his ejections during Game 2 of the College World Series, stating he “doesn’t pay tribute to other grown men.” The game resulted in an LSU victory, with a final score of 5-2. This marked LSU’s second championship title in three years.

During the heated exchange, player Matt Schilling was also ejected as he and Schnal debated with the referee. Following the game, Schnal shared his thoughts, emphasizing that, as a 48-year-old, he shouldn’t be shoved aside by another adult. He recounted how he approached the official, seeking clarity on a warning and, after pointing out missed calls, he was dismissed from the game.

“If it means I have to deal with ejections, I’ll accept that,” he said, asserting that accountability is crucial for his team. The ethos of his program centers on ownership and responsibility without excuses.

Both Schilling and Schnal received suspensions—three games for Schilling and two for Schnal—who felt embarrassed by the referee’s actions. Schnal noted, “When I reviewed the video, a player came in aggressively and tripped, and soon everyone was blaming the referee. That’s just unfair. I shouldn’t bear responsibility for someone else’s athletic ability.”

In a part of his remarks that seemed to contradict earlier sentiments, Schnal commented, “If it guarantees ejections, I’ll step forward. But it’s not about targeting anyone.” Despite the chaos of the game, LSU’s team managed to secure their championship within a span of four innings.