"I was not present as a journalist and did not have a notebook out. I was present as a guest of a coach. Since I myself have coached (however modestly) they seemed to view me as a fellow coach. They definitely did not view me as a reporter. So would it have been fair of me to quote by name someone whose words I overheard?” It's not a matter of fairness, but of safety. Just as a counselor is bound to confidentiality, but only when that confidentiality does not conflict with his/her duty to protect, journalistic confidentiality must take a backseat to the safety of the players.
- “I want someone hurt!” the high school coach was screaming. “I want some kid’s mother crying in the stands because her son was carted off the field! Unless someone from that team is taken off injured in the second half, you will do punishment drills at 6 a.m. tomorrow!”
I understand why a coach would say this, they want their players to put forth the most intensity they possibly can. Especially in football. I wonder though, could he have said, "You need to be as aggressive as you can!” the high school coach was screaming. “I want some kid’s mother crying in the stands because her son was is getting his ass kicked all over the field! Unless the players from that team are lying embarrassed on the ground, you will do punishment drills at 6 a.m. tomorrow! Now go out there and win!” ?? Would this have the same impact? I guess it's less measurable than a stretcher and an ambulance.
Did the coach actually intend for his players to injure other opponents? Only those that witnessed his words would be able to know - and the journalist himself seems to think he did.