Coaches behavior on the sideline and targeting calls have been two of the most talked about issues across college football in recent years.

SEC coordinator of officials Steve Shaw stopped by the coaches teleconference on Wednesday to update the media about how those issues have played out and been administered this season.

This summer, the NCAA announced that officials can issue an instant 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct when a coach encroaches on the field to protest “or otherwise demonstrate disagreement with an officiating decision.” Previously, the rule granted grace to argumentative coaches. Officials could issue a sideline warning and two separate five-yard flags before the 15-yard penalty.

Shaw has said officials can still issue the sideline warning, but they can skip the five-yard misdemeanors.

While coaches have certainly argued calls on the field this year, none of the head coaches have drawn a penalty for it through three weeks.

 

Across FBS, targeting is up, though in the SEC, there have been targeting fouls called, and all five were confirmed. Two of the five were initiated from the replay booth.