MEAC Fines Hampton’s Connell Maynor, Reprimands Officials

Hampton University football coach Connell Maynor was fined by the MEAC for public comments made about the officiating crew following his team’s 31-28 loss to Richmond on Saturday.

A release issued by the conference office stated, “Maynor violated the MEAC’s bylaw on criticizing officials, which states that members of the coaching staff, student-athletes, or other representatives of participating institutions shall not make public statements critical of officiating in any MEAC contests or events.”

In a report by Dave Johnson of the Daily Press, Maynor made the following comments regarding an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty issued to Hampton, that resulted in extending a Richmond drive which eventually led to the Spiders running out the clock:

“The official told me he said something to him,” Maynor said. “So I said to the official, what did he say … because I was looking right at him. (Williams’) helmet came off (on contact) and he didn’t say a word to that guy. Then the official said, ‘Oh, he don’t have to say anything.’

“Hold up, you threw the flag because you said he said something. I tell you he didn’t say anything because I was looking at his mouth and his mouth didn’t move, now you say he don’t have to say anything? So why you’d throw the flag? No answer.

“That was the backbreaker. We lost the game because of him. He (was) a major reason.”

The conference also imposed disciplinary action on the officiating crew working Saturday’s game.

The MEAC officials were disciplined following an evaluation of video by the Coordinator of Football Officials and determined that the officials did not consistently maintain game control and lacked the appropriate judgement on several calls.

“We expect our officials to execute the highest of standards while officiating and remain consistent in adjudicating the rules of the game,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas.