Ed Rush was the director of officials during the Tim Donaghy era that resulted in sweeping changes in leadership in NBA officiating. This should come as no surprise to anyone. Listened to an ESPN Radio interview with Tim Donaghy today and he said that Ed Rush would tell the officials to stick it to Mark Cuban but not too hard because Cuban was gay and he might like it.
But the most disturbing part is the PAC-12 trying to sweep it under the rug like it's nothing. It compromises the integrity of every game officiated by a PAC-12 ref. Fans and coaches can't trust the refs now. Is Ed Rush paying these guys to stick it to you? Is Ed Rush paying them to show favoritism to certain coaches? Is Ed Rush instructed the official to give star treatment to some players? Is Ed Rush allowing his officials to accept autographed memorabilia from players and coaches in exchange for favorable treatment? This is all crap that Ed Rush let go away without punishment when he was the NBA director of officials. The possibilities are endless once you put the doubt in the minds of people. Is your teams getting a fair shake, are you paying for a fair contest? No one knows now.
Andy Katz even tweeted out:
A high-level non-Pac-12 coach said he won't schedule Pac-12 schools in non-conference while Ed Rush is coordinator of officials. No trust.