Should Coach Comments be Censored?

After this past week, at least two college football coaches were given warnings about negative comments. The two comments in question?

Comment #1:

Dan Mullen, Image: Newscom

“I don’t even know why we have replay right now in the Southeastern Conference if they’re not going to utilize it…I hope he’s severely punished if he ever works another SEC game again, because I think it’s completely unacceptable.”

- Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, in regards to a play he thought should have been reviewed and overturned

Comment #2:

“You run another play and you throw an interception or they throw another flag on us — I wasn’t going to let the refs lose the game for us there and some magical flag appear.”

- Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, about letting the clock run down and after criticizing refs for missing an important unsportsmanlike conduct call

Coaches in the SEC have never been shy, but it seems like they’re talking out more and more, especially against officials. As most conferences do, the SEC has policies censoring what a coach can and cannot say in regards to the games’ officiating teams…but I’m not sure that’s exactly fair.

I’m not saying that coaches should just spout off every time they’re upset about a bad call. I’d like to think that most college football coaches have more class than that. However, criticism can be really healthy and good for the sport in general. It makes people ask questions, look at footage, etc. It makes officials do a better job. As long as it doesn’t turn into a witch hunt to find officials who are “rigging” games, some negative comments can be good.

Do you think coaches should be censored?