If a loose ball bounces in the field of play and touches the head coach who is out of bounds, what is the status of the ball?

When a loose ball bounces in the field of play and touches the head coach who is out of bounds, the status of the ball is considered dead. According to NFHS rules, a ball is ruled dead when it touches a person who is out of bounds, and since the head coach is considered an outside person in this instance, their involvement stops the play. The ball can no longer be considered live because its contact with the coach disrupts the play, resulting in the ball being declared dead at that moment. This is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the game, as it ensures that all players and officials have the same understanding of the ball's status and that unintended interferences do not affect game outcomes.