At the behest of St. John’s coach Lou Carnesecca, Big East supervisor of officials Art Hyland once arrived at the league’s annual coaches’ meetings with a picture book. Inside were headshots of each of the Big East’s officials, created to help the notoriously bad with names Carnesecca properly assign his grievances. “I didn’t know what they looked like,’’ Carnesecca says. “But I knew I didn’t like them.’’

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That was nearly 40 years ago and suffice it to say, not much has changed. Which is why The Athletic decided to survey coaches about the opinions usually shared behind closed doors. The NCAA frowns upon (and fines) such honest discourse in public, so the coaches were offered the veil of anonymity in exchange for the answers to two very simple questions.

Which officials do you like to see call your games, and why? Which are you less than thrilled to see when you step onto the court, and why? Nearly 40 head coaches answered.

Let’s face it. The dynamics between officials and coaches is destined to be complicated. One is charged with being a objective, dispassionate observer and rule enforcer, and the other is an emotional wreck, convinced his job security and very lifeblood hangs on a block or charge call seven seconds into a game.

Meant to make things better, technology has, in a lot of ways, made things worse. Replays get the Zapruder film treatment, super slow motion revealing the missed tip of a fingernail that grazed a ball before it went out of bounds. And coaches now have turned their analytical skills on officials, some charting a ref’s every call against his team. “I know before the game starts whether I’m going to have a tough night or not,’’ one says. Even without the aid of technology, a lot of coaches, you’ll see, walk on the court and immediately determine their fate, convinced they’re doomed or destined depending on the officials assigned.

The list compiled here is solely based on names the coaches supplied in response to the questions. Though it should be noted more than a few Carneseccas remain in the game. “I never know their names,’’ one coach says. “I just know when I see them if I’m in trouble or not.’’

Pat Adams

“He’s a good communicator. There’s a humility there — ‘Hey I might’ve missed it,’ or ,‘Hey I’ll take a look at that.’ An ability to not be a know-it-all. To not be insulted if you ask a question.”

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“Very friendly. Good to work with.”

“I’m good with Pat. I know a lot of people don’t love him. I don’t think he’s a great official. He’ll call some random shit where you’re like, What was that? But I’m all right with him. That doesn’t bother me as much. That’s going to happen some.”

Roger Ayers

“He’s an incredible communicator. He’s selfless. He’s very confident without ever acting like it. There’s no air to him, no pun intended. Very good in that way. When you can establish that in the ACC with the home-court advantage people feel Mike (Krzyzewski) gets and (Jim) Boeheim gets, that’s a big thing.”

“Huge fan. He’s a very good play-caller. He’s professional. And he’ll communicate with you and I think he’s honest. He’ll be transparent: ‘Hey, I might’ve missed that one, here’s what I saw.’”

“Extremely good communicator, doesn’t take himself too seriously, understands that the people in stands are there to watch the players and not him.”

“In my opinion, he’s the best referee in college basketball. Man, he just seems to get it really right and has zero ego and has a great way about him. He’d be No. 1.”

“Media timeout, I’m ready to say something to Roger and I just tell myself to forget about it. I start to walk over, and turn around. I just caught myself. Go coach your team. He comes over to my huddle. I have the clipboard in my hand and he’s like, What did you want? I said, ‘I’m good,’ but he just stands there asking me what I wanted. Man, if I’m willing to let it go you have to be, too.’’

“Roger is really good. I’d put him up there in the top group.’’

“I’m not worried when Roger is on a game.’’

“Roger is a guy, he walks on the court and you say to yourself, ‘He’s in charge.’ That’s all you want. If all hell breaks loose, you want someone who is in charge.’’

“Roger is exceptional. That’s all I can say. He is exceptional.’’

Bo Boroski

“I don’t have a problem with him because I know how to work with him. Bo is good but he’s a wild card. Bo still gets triggered. You can’t have a guy in a big game who’s going to get triggered. If that trigger goes off, it’s not good. Because it could skew his judgment.”

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“Bo Boroski is a great official. He’s got strength to him. He’s not dominating the action. He lets some things go. He’s got a good pulse on the way a game should be called. You can communicate with him, which is always helpful. He’ll say, ‘I might have missed that one.’ I prefer that to the guys who are never wrong.’’

“With Bo, I do get concerned because he’s made really bad calls, some really egregiously bad calls, and then his ego, it’s so completely out of control. There’s no emotional intelligence or situational awareness. He’s like a cyborg. Just brutal. I’ve gone back and done a double take, rewatched the tape two or three times and it’s confirmed what I thought happened in the moment. He’s brutal.’’

James Breeding

“Can be almost impossible to talk to. Difficult disposition.”

D.J. Carstensen

“He just has a presence about him and a confidence. He’ll come over and make some small talk before the game. He’s done his homework. He knows how you’re doing. It feels like, all right, this guy knows where you are, knows where you’re at, and knows the stakes of this game. He just seems relatable.”

“Love D.J. He’s the best. D.J. is professional. He’s really good. Commands the game. Will listen to you without getting combative. He handles the game and the coach really well.”

“Everybody likes a ref who’s not confrontational and will talk to you.”

“Communicated well with me, respected the game he did and was easy for me to work with.”

Lee Cassell

“I like him. He’s got a presence. He understands how to call a game, and let things play out. He doesn’t interfere with the flow with silly things.’’

“He doesn’t even register to me. He’s whatever.”

Tim Clougherty

“I’m not a Tim Clougherty fan. I just don’t think he’s very good, to be frank.’’

Joe DeRosa

“He’s starting to slip a little now, but I think he’s one of the all-time best.’’

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Pat Driscoll

“I love Pat. I love Pat. He’s very accurate, got a great disposition. A lot of times you don’t even notice him, and to me, that’s a great official.”

“I love Pat. He’s a good communicator. He lets the game play out. He doesn’t insert himself into it.”

“I love Driscoll. I love, love, love Pat Driscoll. He’s always about the game. He’s not going to befriend you, but he treats people with respect.’’

Mike Eades

“He’s very competent. He’ll communicate. He’s a guy that will come over and say, hey, your big fella keeps backing that guy down with the shoulder, I’m gonna get him. After a free throw he’ll say, ‘I’m not sure I like that last one. You let me know what you see on the film.’ Fantastic.”

Patrick Evans

“Won’t communicate at all. Saw him doing a game on TV the other night, and he was doing the same thing. He was making a face at (the coach).”

John Gaffney

“A guy you’d like to have a beer with. But he’s also one of those guys that likes to make sure everyone knows he’s in charge. He’s not afraid to make the tough call, the controversial call. He’s a guy you love early in the game, but he’s not afraid to make a call against you in a big moment. I mainly like him, but he can have a little bit of arrogance to him. If it goes against you, it pisses you off.”

“He ain’t taking any shit, either. If you M.F. him, he’ll M.F. you right back. He knows it’s not about him. It’s about the players on the floor.”

“Tremendous. He lets you know when you’re out of line, and I have so much respect for him that when he tells me I’m teetering, I straighten up.”

“He’s excellent. One of the best out there. He doesn’t react to stuff. He’s fair. He just does his job. I like it when I don’t even know they’re there.’’

Courtney Green

“He’s a terrific young ref.”

“Courtney is good. Easy to talk to. Does a good job.”

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Tony Greene

“He’s one of my all-time favorites, but he’s getting a little long in the tooth.’’

“Needs to retire. Bad official. And here’s the thing about him: At one time, I didn’t feel like he was like that. First of all, he’s just bad. And you can’t say anything to him.”

Ron Groover

“I call him Protein Shake, because he’s in such ridiculous shape. I bust his balls and he laughs his ass off. That’s what you need. You can’t take this that seriously.’’

“Terrible personality and a bad official.”

David Hall

“Thinks everyone who paid to watch the game came to see him. Never know what he’s going to do.”

Jerry Heater

“He’s been doing it a long time, but I don’t think he’s improved very much.’’

John Higgins

“He’s experienced. You notice his hair is flopping around but I always feel like he’s in a lot of the big games. He doesn’t take any shit from anybody. He’s going to do his job and do the best he can and call the right plays. A little flair to him, a little arrogance to him, but kind of a cool customer.”

“Old officials we trust. Younger ones not so much. Fifteen years ago, maybe I don’t trust John Higgins. Who’s John Higgins? Now I know. I know who he is and I know he’s going to be fair.”

“I like John. But you gotta be careful with him. He’ll pop you in a hurry (with a technical).”

“I never had him. But he’s got great hair.’’

“I like Higgins. He does a good job.’’

“His confidence, demeanor, play-calling, hustle — you can just tell. He’s a guy who gets to the games probably two hours early and he’s really prepared to do his job. That stands out. That matters.”

Sean Hull

“Not a fan. He anticipates too many plays and he gets too many wrong.’’

Anthony Jordan

“I think he tried to go to the NBA and it didn’t work out or he didn’t like it. I think he’s fair. He’ll communicate a little bit.”

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Kipp Kissinger

“Great communicator. He’s somebody that takes pride in getting the plays right. And how he makes the call matters, too — a confidence and conviction to it.”

“Very knowledgeable and communicative.”

“Kipp is approachable and someone you can talk to throughout the game and is consistent with his whistle.”

Joe Lindsay

“He’s stern, he’s tough, but he talks and he really gets the game.”

“Joe Lindsay’s on your game? The game is going to be officiated great.’’

Jamie Luckie

“The biggest arrogant prick ever.”

“He just handles himself well. You can talk to him during a game. Just manages the game well, communicates well.”

“I’m not a fan of Jamie. He’s OK but my interactions with him, he’s very emotional. An emotional official is really hard to handle as a coach. You have an emotional interaction with an official, and it takes a while to get over it. For me, it’s multiple games where I feel like I can communicate with him again.’’

“Personality-wise, he’s not warm and fuzzy. He’s a terrible communicator. But I also don’t mind having him on the road in a bad game because he’s not going to bail out the home team because of the crowd.’’

“Not a huge fan. He’s the kind of guy who will hold a grudge after a game. Like even if it’s been a year ago.’’

“Luckie is an interesting guy. He’s a guy that, to me, by the end of the season, he looks like he’s tired.’’

“The next time he smiles will be the first time. He’s just a crusty old guy. But I think he’s a good official.’’

Randy McCall

“He would come to you — when you shook his hand before the game, it would be something as simple as ‘We’re going to work our butts off for you.’ That’s a really good practice for an official. As a coach, you’re like, I can relate to this.”

“As good an official as I’ve had. I also think he’s one of the most underrated refs in the country.”

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Brian O’Connell

“Experienced. Reffed big games. He’s not going to get caught up in the game. I think he’s going to call it as he sees it.”

“I do like Brian. He’s a good official, very good. I’d say he’s in my top 10. Very fair. Accurate. You can talk to Brian.’’

“I love Brian. Former player, just gets it. He’s the kind, you don’t worry about him reffing a game, like, against Duke. It’s not like Duke is going to get every call.’’

“Brian is very, very, very prone to listening. Like listening to chatter that doesn’t involve the game, even like with fans. He’s also the kind of guy who will talk to an assistant coach like, ‘sit down.’ Disrespectful. That’s a grown man.’’

“I love Brian. He’s my favorite referee. He’s tough on the road. He doesn’t bend. I want a guy who’s not going to talk to coaches. Just call the game. And don’t get swayed by the crowd.’’

Terry Oglesby

​​”An underrated one. Calm. You’re not going to rattle him. Will talk to you. Knows the game inside and out, really gets the game.”

“I’m a fan of Terry. He’s got a very calming demeanor to him. He’s got a quiet confidence. He’s just knowledgeable. You can tell he wants to get it right. He does his homework on things and he’s prepared for the opportunity.”

Tony Padilla

“Never been a fan. I can’t stand, at a high level, the phantom calls. The calls I don’t agree with are one thing. It’s the out-of-nowhere calls. And this dude has never been wrong about anything, ever.”

“Never feel great when he’s on a game. Never know how the game will be called.”

Kelly Pfeiffer

“You don’t want to see him.”

“The thing with Kelly is, he’s young and he looks young. I would guess if you’re an older head coach and you’re looking at him, you’re like, all right, this is a guy who got his first break and hasn’t done it a while.”

“One my favorites. Kelly is a really good ref that never lets his ego get in the way and is approachable. Great personality and good communicator.”

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Paul Szelc

“Paul is really, really good. He gets the plays right, and more than anything, he can take a step back in the moment and think critically and make sound decisions when the pressure is on. He’s just gifted that way.”

“I actually like him. He’s solid. He’ll communicate a little.”

Mike Roberts

“When he first came in, I was like, he’s too much. Too over the top. All of a sudden I got to know him, and he’s terrific. Great communicator.’’

“A good official but can be difficult to communicate with.”

Rob Riley

“I don’t think he’s very good. I just don’t.’’

Larry Scirotto

“There’s a level of arrogance. Never wrong.”

“He’s a tough one, too. He’s just a dude you don’t mess with. And that I don’t really love. One of those guys that definitely likes the power.”

“Larry is good, but he needs to get a little more seasoned. There’s not as much experience there, and it shows.’’

“He’s jacked physically. He cuts an imposing swath out there. He does a great job, and he’s in a lot better shape than some of these other guys.’’

Doug Shows

“He’s got a little bit of the show pony in him. He doesn’t always just pay attention to the game.’’

“Always in a bad mood and angry toward coaches.”

“He’s actually a good official, but some guys don’t like him because he’s a little bit of a showman. But I think he’s good.”

“Shows has a commanding presence. Keeps a firm control of the game. Very consistent.”

Doug Sirmons

“You know he’s an elite official. You just know you don’t test him. He’s a serious guy. And he’s really good. Anytime I’ve been like, I wasn’t sure about that, you catch the tape and say, he’s right most of the time, you leave him alone. You tell your players, that guy is working in the Final Four, and don’t question him.”

“Really focused. Steady. Knows his shit. He does a great job, in my opinion, of managing the game.”

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“You can just tell it really matters. He wants to get every play right.”

Mike Stevens

“He’s a true pro. He looks the part. He runs well. He can be a little dramatic in his play-calling, but I feel like every time I turn on a Big East game, it’s him and Brian O’Connell doing those games.”

“No matter what, he’s going to be himself. He’s not going to fluctuate one way or another. He’s just going to ref the game.’’

“I love Mike. He’s a strong official. He’s got a really good balance of keeping you in line, without being overbearing. I know the game is going to be reffed well if he’s calling it.

“Mike Stevens is aces.’’

“I love when I see Micheal Stevens. He’s fair and is a tremendous communicator.”

Ted Valentine

“I don’t know if I’d say it as much now, but I’ve always said you didn’t mind seeing him on the road. He really knows the game. Everyone thinks he’s trying to be bigger than the game. No, he’s trying not to let the game get screwed up. And he understands how to talk to players. That is one of the most undervalued, underrated traits somebody can have. He’s really, really good at trying to help remind people how not to foul. That’s big.”

“Love him. One of my favorite people to see. He’s an elite referee. He sees it at an elite level and he’s really, really good with the players. Over the years he’s got this rap like he’s theatrical and likes attention — I get where that comes from. But he gives you the same effort. The same pep in his step. The same positive spirit and focus and attention to detail.”

“Some don’t like Valentine because he’s flamboyant. I think he’s a really good play-caller. I never feel like he’s screwing us, or feel like I can’t win with him.’’

“The guy I actually like to see, who I think gives a great whistle, is Valentine. He’s absolutely nuts, but I think you know when you get him, he’s not going to be afraid or influenced no matter where he is, the crowd, or the opposing coach. He’s going to be the same regardless.’’

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“Teddy will come up to me and say, ‘Did you get a haircut?’ (to a coach with little hair). Now I gotta laugh, but that’s what it’s about. Relationships. Be human.”

“Teddy is a really accurate official, and I don’t think he gets enough credit for that. The reputation, TV Teddy, that’s all well earned, but he also usually gets it right.’’

“I love me some Teddy and I’ve been on the wrong side of it. That whole theatrics thing can be hard to take, the antics, when you’re losing, but I have so much respect for him, and the amount of work he’s done and his love for the game, I don’t mind it. I like him so much I’ll put up with some of the bullshit.’’

“In the old days, all of that TV Teddy stuff, but he’s matured. It only took him 30 years to mature, but he did. He’s a good official, once you get underneath all of that other crap.’’

“I mean he has a massive ego, but I don’t mind him. If you get him on the road, you know he’ll be fair. He’s not as polarizing as he used to be, I don’t think.’’

“Ted Valentine is the best. He’s the best. He doesn’t anticipate anything. Now there are some things that go along with having Teddy on your game. But if you have a big game, you want him on it. He’s seen every play, been in every situation.”

Terry Wymer

“He’s grown into it, especially in a road situation.”

“I think Terry is very good. He’s done a few of our games, and I have no complaints.’’

(Illustrations: John Bradford / The Athletic. Photos: Chris Coduto, Michael Hickey / Getty Images)