What can I say, it does happen. I saw a ref I used to work with working a game my wife and I were at. The coach was getting in him alittle and I saw him make a bad call right in front of the coach. I looked at my wife and said " He just set the hook". As soon as he put the ball in play, he kind of took his time going by the coach. The coach got Mr. out of his mouth and he was given a technical. My wife turned and looked at me like I was a prophet, and started laughing. I saw a ref come back onto the floor AFTER agame was over to throw a coach out of a game once. I looked at my wife and told her THAT is why I would never work with him.
It is thankless sometimes, but they are some really good ones out there. (Like me of course) So be thankful when you get the good ones. Yes they do watch referees. As a matter of fact, Steve (the assigner, or boss) was at the AC/OR game and saw the whole thing. So, not only did the state get the refs point of view, they got the bosses point of view.