Hold believes penalty is sufficient

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Thunder coach Mike Hold understands how some followers of the af2 wouldn’t mind if Quad City coach Sean Ponder was tarred, feathered and deprived of his job.

Hold isn’t ready to join that camp.

Two weekends ago, when the Thunder routed the Steamwheelers, 63-34, at the Chevrolet Centre, a memorable moment was when Ponder tripped Reggie Perkins as the Thunder defender celebrated an interception return for a touchdown.

Perkins once played for the Steamwheelers. Throughout the game, he was talking at his former teammates.

Ponder was ejected from the game. After af2 president Jerry Kurz weighed input from league coaches, he suspended Ponder for three games without pay plus banned the Steamwheelers from using a coach on the field for the rest of the regular season.

Was it enough of a penalty for such a cheap shot?

Hold’s opinion

Hold thinks the penalty is more than sufficient.

“That was tough,” Hold said. “I’m on the peer review committee which is made up of five coaches that discuss topics like that with the league president. He takes our input.”

In announcing the suspension, Kurz said he weighed a season-long suspension and termination before imposing the three-game penalty.

Thunder wide receiver DeMarcus Mathes said it’s not his position to “judge but whatever ruling they gave him is good enough. I’m pretty sure he’s just like everyone else — emotions just got the best of him.

Mathes said he was “surprised because it’s a coach. They’re the guys telling us to keep a cool head.”

Hold has a solid reason for supporting the punishment.

“Why I feel it’s fair or strong is that it’s penalizing the team,” Hold said. “Not only do they not have their head coach for three games but for the rest of the season they can’t have a coach on the field calling plays.

“You can’t use helmet radios like they do in the NFL,” Hold said. “So if the ball is down here and their bench is over there, the quarterback has to run back to get the play every time. I think it was stiff.”

Like the Thunder (5-6), the Steamwheelers (7-5) — who lead the Midwest Division — are in the hunt for one of the American Conference’s eight playoff berths.

Sends a message

Hold said penalizing the team for the coach’s behavior sends a message.

“It was hard because a lot of people watch it and say he should have been fired,” said Hold of the peer committee’s dilemma. “In the heat of the battle, it could have been anybody.

“You hope not but when you’re on the road and fans are screaming at you and things aren’t going well, it can be frustrating.”

Mathes agreed.

“When you get out there on the field sometimes, you hear things,” Mathes said. “Coaches are allowed on the field in this sport and I’m sure he felt the pressure and he just gave into it.”

That’s why Hold feels Ponder deserves an eventual second chance.

“Being that he’s a fellow coach, you don’t want to give a guy a death penalty,” Hold said. “Give him an opportunity to redeem himself.

Unlike football played outdoors where coaches are not close to the stands, arena coaches and players hear the taunts.

“And if the building isn’t full, you’re likely to hear more,” said Hold, who added that Ponder has no excuse.

“You know what it’s like when you agree to it,” said Hold of coaching indoors.

williams@vindy.com