I didn't see the game, but I do know that refs listen to a lot. Some take it with a grain of salt and some like to show their authority. I think a lot of the time refs will listen to a coach depending on his or her tone of voice. If they feel that what is being said is being said sarcastically, then a lot of times they won't tolerate it. I know how sarcastic coaches can be when questioning calls (including Melton), but refs are different in the ways they react to it. I saw an elementary game a couple of weeks ago where a guy sitting in front of me harassed the ref the whole game and the ref never said anything to him. Had I been the ref, I would have given him one warning then had him removed. Refs, like all people, are just different.
I agree. I have always thought Wheaton was fair and under control. However, his actions at TTU should not be tolerated. It was the first time Melton questioned anything. It was early in the game. LA was up 13-1 at the time and after the next 5 or 6 angry calls NOT in favor of LA were made, LA's players tensed up some and the game changed. Maybe it would have anyway, but we will never know that. These actions didn't determine the winner/loser of the game in this case, but that doesn't change what happened.
LA has already moved on, but it'd be a shame for this to happen to anyone else.