Professionalize SEC Officiating

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

I was as upset with our coaching staff as anyone yesterday. A second-half collapse like that can’t be blamed solely on talent, depth, or quarterback play. I was overly emotional and reactionary and simply too harsh in my criticism of Heupel and the staff. I should have saved a little of my ire for the officiating crew instead.

I did not realize just how awful and completely one-sided the officiating this game was. I saw what I thought was a hold on Baron on Bama’s first td of the second half, but seeing the now-infamous photo made it hit home, along with single, glaring statistic: one penalty, five yards. The last two games, it has seemed as though referees are constitutionally incapable of throwing a defensive pass interference flag on our opponents. It is not only hurting our chances as a team, it is damaging the game itself.

Enough is enough. Major college football, and in fact, the SEC alone, is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Yet they treat officiating like this is little league. A part time gig. Fees on a per-game basis. Little (zero?) accountability.

Officiating in the SEC should be a full-time, salaried job. NFL refs make $200k or more annually. There’s no reason, with all the money the SEC is raking in, that they can’t pay a six-figure salary as well and attract the best of the best, as well as require rigorous training, standards, and a detailed oversight and review process.

Member institutions should exercise oversight on officiating directly, and there should be a formalized complaint process in place. There is too great a risk of bias to leave all oversight in the hands of a single executive, especially someone of as dubious character as Sankey.

The game has quite literally changed. NIL deals and the transfer portal get all the coverage, but noone seems to pay much mind to another, still fairly recent, development: legalized betting on college sports. The league has done nothing, to my knowledge, to address this brave new world in terms of officiating, and as such we have 20th century systems in place to deal with 21st century problems. The potential for corruption is massive, compounded by the preexisting good ole boy networks (no one from Tuscaloosa, particularly when their personal brand is crucial to their business in that area, should EVER be officiating an Alabama football game).

I’m not sure what good ranting on a message board can do, but I do think some grassroots agitating will be necessary if this is ever going to change. We are, after all, where all those billions of dollars ultimately come from.

 

[DiderotsGhost]

It's awful. I don't understand why the conferences have their own referees to begin with and why it's not handled by the NCAA.

That said, if it's going to be handled by the conference, they should do something like they for pre-trial jury selection, where each side's lawyers are allowed to weed out potentially biased jurors. Too many cases of SEC officials who have had indirect ties to a university (e.g. sibling / parent went to SEC school) or a likely source of bias (an official who is a realtor in Tuscaloosa). Let each team veto officials who they suspect of bias.

 

[Smokeydog1998]

I was as upset with our coaching staff as anyone yesterday. A second-half collapse like that can’t be blamed solely on talent, depth, or quarterback play. I was overly emotional and reactionary and simply too harsh in my criticism of Heupel and the staff. I should have saved a little of my ire for the officiating crew instead.

I did not realize just how awful and completely one-sided the officiating this game was. I saw what I thought was a hold on Baron on Bama’s first td of the second half, but seeing the now-infamous photo made it hit home, along with single, glaring statistic: one penalty, five yards. The last two games, it has seemed as though referees are constitutionally incapable of throwing a defensive pass interference flag on our opponents. It is not only hurting our chances as a team, it is damaging the game itself.

Enough is enough. Major college football, and in fact, the SEC alone, is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Yet they treat officiating like this is little league. A part time gig. Fees on a per-game basis. Little (zero?) accountability.

Officiating in the SEC should be a full-time, salaried job. NFL refs make $200k or more annually. There’s no reason, with all the money the SEC is raking in, that they can’t pay a six-figure salary as well and attract the best of the best, as well as require rigorous training, standards, and a detailed oversight and review process.

Member institutions should exercise oversight on officiating directly, and there should be a formalized complaint process in place. There is too great a risk of bias to leave all oversight in the hands of a single executive, especially someone of as dubious character as Sankey.

The game has quite literally changed. NIL deals and the transfer portal get all the coverage, but noone seems to pay much mind to another, still fairly recent, development: legalized betting on college sports. The league has done nothing, to my knowledge, to address this brave new world in terms of officiating, and as such we have 20th century systems in place to deal with 21st century problems. The potential for corruption is massive, compounded by the preexisting good ole boy networks (no one from Tuscaloosa, particularly when their personal brand is crucial to their business in that area, should EVER be officiating an Alabama football game).

I’m not sure what good ranting on a message board can do, but I do think some grassroots agitating will be necessary if this is ever going to change. We are, after all, where all those billions of dollars ultimately cdy to stop watching the crap!!ome from.

Preach it brother!! enough is enough!! Kinda like the crap in the White House!! it's BS and ready to stop supporting college sports.

 

[Volfan1000]

I was as upset with our coaching staff as anyone yesterday. A second-half collapse like that can’t be blamed solely on talent, depth, or quarterback play. I was overly emotional and reactionary and simply too harsh in my criticism of Heupel and the staff. I should have saved a little of my ire for the officiating crew instead.

I did not realize just how awful and completely one-sided the officiating this game was. I saw what I thought was a hold on Baron on Bama’s first td of the second half, but seeing the now-infamous photo made it hit home, along with single, glaring statistic: one penalty, five yards. The last two games, it has seemed as though referees are constitutionally incapable of throwing a defensive pass interference flag on our opponents. It is not only hurting our chances as a team, it is damaging the game itself.

Enough is enough. Major college football, and in fact, the SEC alone, is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Yet they treat officiating like this is little league. A part time gig. Fees on a per-game basis. Little (zero?) accountability.

Officiating in the SEC should be a full-time, salaried job. NFL refs make $200k or more annually. There’s no reason, with all the money the SEC is raking in, that they can’t pay a six-figure salary as well and attract the best of the best, as well as require rigorous training, standards, and a detailed oversight and review process.

Member institutions should exercise oversight on officiating directly, and there should be a formalized complaint process in place. There is too great a risk of bias to leave all oversight in the hands of a single executive, especially someone of as dubious character as Sankey.

The game has quite literally changed. NIL deals and the transfer portal get all the coverage, but noone seems to pay much mind to another, still fairly recent, development: legalized betting on college sports. The league has done nothing, to my knowledge, to address this brave new world in terms of officiating, and as such we have 20th century systems in place to deal with 21st century problems. The potential for corruption is massive, compounded by the preexisting good ole boy networks (no one from Tuscaloosa, particularly when their personal brand is crucial to their business in that area, should EVER be officiating an Alabama football game).

I’m not sure what good ranting on a message board can do, but I do think some grassroots agitating will be necessary if this is ever going to change. We are, after all, where all those billions of dollars ultimately come from.

Brent Hubbs said that the SEC will probably not go to the professional referees route per the Rocky Top Rewind podcast.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

At what point do you ask how much NIL money Bama spent on the refs?

 

[Gandalf]

Professionalize it and criminalize any outside paid activity that is a conflict of interest.

 

[UTK]

They need to hire refs that have zero ties to any of the schools. It’s that simple. Get this “Tuscaloosa realtor” and **** like that out of here. Get some legitimacy going because right now the SEC is the biggest farce of a conference.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

I was as upset with our coaching staff as anyone yesterday. A second-half collapse like that can’t be blamed solely on talent, depth, or quarterback play. I was overly emotional and reactionary and simply too harsh in my criticism of Heupel and the staff. I should have saved a little of my ire for the officiating crew instead.

I did not realize just how awful and completely one-sided the officiating this game was. I saw what I thought was a hold on Baron on Bama’s first td of the second half, but seeing the now-infamous photo made it hit home, along with single, glaring statistic: one penalty, five yards. The last two games, it has seemed as though referees are constitutionally incapable of throwing a defensive pass interference flag on our opponents. It is not only hurting our chances as a team, it is damaging the game itself.

Enough is enough. Major college football, and in fact, the SEC alone, is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Yet they treat officiating like this is little league. A part time gig. Fees on a per-game basis. Little (zero?) accountability.

Officiating in the SEC should be a full-time, salaried job. NFL refs make $200k or more annually. There’s no reason, with all the money the SEC is raking in, that they can’t pay a six-figure salary as well and attract the best of the best, as well as require rigorous training, standards, and a detailed oversight and review process.

Member institutions should exercise oversight on officiating directly, and there should be a formalized complaint process in place. There is too great a risk of bias to leave all oversight in the hands of a single executive, especially someone of as dubious character as Sankey.

The game has quite literally changed. NIL deals and the transfer portal get all the coverage, but noone seems to pay much mind to another, still fairly recent, development: legalized betting on college sports. The league has done nothing, to my knowledge, to address this brave new world in terms of officiating, and as such we have 20th century systems in place to deal with 21st century problems. The potential for corruption is massive, compounded by the preexisting good ole boy networks (no one from Tuscaloosa, particularly when their personal brand is crucial to their business in that area, should EVER be officiating an Alabama football game).

I’m not sure what good ranting on a message board can do, but I do think some grassroots agitating will be necessary if this is ever going to change. We are, after all, where all those billions of dollars ultimately come from.

I totally agree, these power conferences do not need to be in charge of the referees. Bad close calls will always happen with the most honest officials, but no doubt conferences protect the perceived best teams for the sake of the dollar and that isn’t fair. I can handle losing and getting the short end of the stick can happen honestly sometimes. But it just isn’t a good look with conferences having their own refs. It should be a professional full time job. College football has the money to do it. With all the changes on college football the status quo for officiating has to stop.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

They need to hire refs that have zero ties to any of the schools. It’s that simple. Get this “Tuscaloosa realtor” and **** like that out of here. Get some legitimacy going because right now the SEC is the biggest farce of a conference.

Yep something needs to change, I think fans from all teams realize these conferences and the refs should not be intertwined.

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

I wonder how much sports gambling is involved as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if some refs need some extra money.

 

[feathersax]

I wonder how much sports gambling is involved as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if some refs need some extra money.

THIS! It's apparent to me that gambling has gotten its claws into officiating...maybe for a long time.

 

[beamerman]

I was as upset with our coaching staff as anyone yesterday. A second-half collapse like that can’t be blamed solely on talent, depth, or quarterback play. I was overly emotional and reactionary and simply too harsh in my criticism of Heupel and the staff. I should have saved a little of my ire for the officiating crew instead.

I did not realize just how awful and completely one-sided the officiating this game was. I saw what I thought was a hold on Baron on Bama’s first td of the second half, but seeing the now-infamous photo made it hit home, along with single, glaring statistic: one penalty, five yards. The last two games, it has seemed as though referees are constitutionally incapable of throwing a defensive pass interference flag on our opponents. It is not only hurting our chances as a team, it is damaging the game itself.

Enough is enough. Major college football, and in fact, the SEC alone, is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Yet they treat officiating like this is little league. A part time gig. Fees on a per-game basis. Little (zero?) accountability.

Officiating in the SEC should be a full-time, salaried job. NFL refs make $200k or more annually. There’s no reason, with all the money the SEC is raking in, that they can’t pay a six-figure salary as well and attract the best of the best, as well as require rigorous training, standards, and a detailed oversight and review process.

Member institutions should exercise oversight on officiating directly, and there should be a formalized complaint process in place. There is too great a risk of bias to leave all oversight in the hands of a single executive, especially someone of as dubious character as Sankey.

The game has quite literally changed. NIL deals and the transfer portal get all the coverage, but noone seems to pay much mind to another, still fairly recent, development: legalized betting on college sports. The league has done nothing, to my knowledge, to address this brave new world in terms of officiating, and as such we have 20th century systems in place to deal with 21st century problems. The potential for corruption is massive, compounded by the preexisting good ole boy networks (no one from Tuscaloosa, particularly when their personal brand is crucial to their business in that area, should EVER be officiating an Alabama football game).

I’m not sure what good ranting on a message board can do, but I do think some grassroots agitating will be necessary if this is ever going to change. We are, after all, where all those billions of dollars ultimately come from.

I get it, but NFL is having same problems. My Colts had a victory ripped away yesterday in the last minute by officials.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Brent Hubbs said that the SEC will probably not go to the professional referees route per the Rocky Top Rewind podcast.

That probably means they have more control over the game’s outcome this way.

 

[gray0306]

I agree, it needs to be managed cause this part time gig status does not work...need to be held accountable....only a fool thinks they aren't padding their pockets.

 

[gray0306]

has anyone made an itemized list of bad calls for this game.......

 

[Vol865]

Pay them based on their ability.

Pay crews for every conference. Have the NCAA oversee it. Grade each individual ref based on a rate of missed calls or wrong calls and have that determine which conferences they are allowed to referee and make pay based on which conference you are refereeing. Have the money set aside by the conferences. You do good, you get big games and big money. You do bad, you get lesser games and less money. If someone keeps costing a crew money and better games, they'll get replaced quick.

 

[strkr]

If Tennessee doesn't lose to Florida I believe the game would have been called a lot different in the 2nd Half. You have live in game betting and I am sure ole skankey got on the phone and instructed those corrupt sec refs to take matters in their own hands and make sure turd wins the game as they have an easier route to sec championship game vs. Georgia and a shot at a playoff berth. SEC is not getting two teams in the last four team playoff this year but for sure know they will make sure one gets there. Remember in the SEC it means more. $$$$$$$$ I really feel that is why hype went for it on 4th down at the fifty as he realized the fix was in. Pretty sad when you think about it. Ya can't say anything because he would get fined and why give your hard earned money to those money freaks at the league office.

 

[barney]

I was as upset with our coaching staff as anyone yesterday. A second-half collapse like that can’t be blamed solely on talent, depth, or quarterback play. I was overly emotional and reactionary and simply too harsh in my criticism of Heupel and the staff. I should have saved a little of my ire for the officiating crew instead.

I did not realize just how awful and completely one-sided the officiating this game was. I saw what I thought was a hold on Baron on Bama’s first td of the second half, but seeing the now-infamous photo made it hit home, along with single, glaring statistic: one penalty, five yards. The last two games, it has seemed as though referees are constitutionally incapable of throwing a defensive pass interference flag on our opponents. It is not only hurting our chances as a team, it is damaging the game itself.

Enough is enough. Major college football, and in fact, the SEC alone, is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Yet they treat officiating like this is little league. A part time gig. Fees on a per-game basis. Little (zero?) accountability.

Officiating in the SEC should be a full-time, salaried job. NFL refs make $200k or more annually. There’s no reason, with all the money the SEC is raking in, that they can’t pay a six-figure salary as well and attract the best of the best, as well as require rigorous training, standards, and a detailed oversight and review process.

Member institutions should exercise oversight on officiating directly, and there should be a formalized complaint process in place. There is too great a risk of bias to leave all oversight in the hands of a single executive, especially someone of as dubious character as Sankey.

The game has quite literally changed. NIL deals and the transfer portal get all the coverage, but noone seems to pay much mind to another, still fairly recent, development: legalized betting on college sports. The league has done nothing, to my knowledge, to address this brave new world in terms of officiating, and as such we have 20th century systems in place to deal with 21st century problems. The potential for corruption is massive, compounded by the preexisting good ole boy networks (no one from Tuscaloosa, particularly when their personal brand is crucial to their business in that area, should EVER be officiating an Alabama football game).

I’m not sure what good ranting on a message board can do, but I do think some grassroots agitating will be necessary if this is ever going to change. We are, after all, where all those billions of dollars ultimately come from.

I agree with this but also want to point out that conference run officiating is a major problem because of the financial incentive conferences have to protect the teams most likely to make it to the playoffs. We need a national officiating pool managed by an independent organization, whether it's the NCAA or a new organization, to put an end to the appearance of bias in officiating. Just look at the Bama-Texas series. The conference officiating traveling with the visiting team was the decisive factor in each of those games.

 

[jeff1vol]

Legalizing sports gambling nationwide will only make things worse. A half a Trillion $$$ market. I'm seriously considering just dropping sports from my entertainment list. It will get SO bad that they won't even try and hide it, much like modern day politicians.

 

[Other_Guy]

Another interesting thing was how it felt like they were doing everything they could to help A&M beat both Bama and Tenn. It's like this was Jimbo's last shot and they were trying to get them some help. Now that Bama has a great shot at the playoffs it's time to help them again.

 

[strkr]

Legalizing sports gambling nationwide will only make things worse. A half a Trillion $$$ market. I'm seriously considering just dropping sports from my entertainment list. It will get SO bad that they won't even try and hide it, much like modern day politicians.

Agree. Will keep denying things that are seen- disinformation or no evidence when the video doesn't lie. Officiating across the board in the U.S. has been consistently inconsistent. Iowa / Minnesota had a controversial no call and in Washington/Ariz game another no pass interference call. Crying about nah just stating the obvious.

 

[Tennman]

I did some research. It seems every official in the SEC ( most worked their way here from the Sun conference) are assigned based on ratings. They apparently get graded by a panel every week on every call they make. of course the results are not made public. My question is HOW in the He!! do they keep their job? This year its the worse I've seen by far. I refereed football, basketball , baseball and softball for over 14 years. Yes, I even did some contract college work in baseball, football and softball. The rest of my experience was high school and of course park and rec when first starting out. I know a little about officiating and the importance of positioning. People don't realize how 3 feet can make a big difference in the angle and result of your call. Maybe its the speed of the game? I don't know, but after seeing so many photos posted where the official is right on and looking dead at the play, HOW DO YOU NOT CALL IT? that unfortunately leaves it too much doubt and speculation. I never called a game with a official who I felt deliberately missed a call or "had it out for a team", but I'm telling you, Its looking really bad right now.

 

[Tennman]

Agree. Will keep denying things that are seen- disinformation or no evidence when the video doesn't lie. Officiating across the board in the U.S. has been consistently inconsistent. Iowa / Minnesota had a controversial no call and in Washington/Ariz game another no pass interference call. Crying about nah just stating the obvious.

correct, I am a big complainer about officials, but its not just UT games, its nationwide. something needs done. I hope its not the result of gambling.

 

[Smokey7]

I'd take peewee football officiating over this junk!
Good grief. It's so obvious they can't officiate. They need to be fired.

 

[Rockytoprowdy]

The lone Bama penalty was a “snap infraction” on an inadvertent snap that should have been a live ball…