How to Improve Officiating?

[cat_in_the_hat]

I thought I would try another thread on a topic that’s been on my mind, officiating. Again, this isn’t about last night’s game, it’s about what should be done to improve officiating. I think a couple of things should be done. First, I think officials should have to do post game interviews and defend some of the questionable calls/no calls they make. I think this will lead to officials being more consistent and more detail oriented. I also think it will lead officials to suggest changes to make the process more efficient and fair because they won’t like being shown their inconsistencies and mistakes each week. I think they would pressure leagues to give them more leeway to reverse calls they missed and to make calls they didn’t see but is clear on video replay. Perhaps an official in the booth at all games, or perhaps all officials in the booth and only one on the field to announce penalties to the crowd. But I think public scrutiny would lead to officials trying to improve the quality of what they do.

I also think technology could be used more. I mentioned officials in the booth earlier, but if officials had various camera angles, could the game be better officiated,by a crew looking at video from those camera angles than by officials on the field? I wonder if the speed of the game doesn’t impair many on field officials from doing their jobs at a high level. Perhaps officiating should evolve to more video review and other technology than on the field review.

I thought this might be an interesting topic for discussion if we can keep it to the broad subject and not about last night’s game.

 

[UKSanders]

Well, if this article is even mostly true, the best place to start would be to pay the officials enough to make it a full-time job with a high enough salary that there would be strong competition for the spots.

There is certainly enough money being made in the P5 conferences that this should happen.

Officials

 

[jmelton21]

Get rid of conference officials... Have them in one group...

Then have a group of people (former players, coaches, and refs) that grade each game... They have to make certain grades to get the big conference... If they fall behind a that grade they drop down to the mid majors... Then FCS, and then D2... Make the pay substantially more so that they would want to stay in the bigger conference...

Hold their asses accountable...

 

[cat_in_the_hat]

Well, if this article is even mostly true, the best place to start would be to pay the officials enough to make it a full-time job with a high enough salary that there would be strong competition for the spots.

There is certainly enough money being made in the P5 conferences that this should happen.

Officials

That is fascinating. I would have thought college officials make more than that. That is a major issue for attracting talent and getting people to put time and energy into improving their craft. Improving the pay for officials should be the number one priority for the NCAA. That alone could improve the quality of officiating more than most anything else they could do.

 

[The-Hack]

Pay officials too little and it might encourage them to seek profit from nefarious sources.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

First acknowledge that officiating is HARD. 22 guys flying around at top speed, just milaseconds to see an offense and make a decision. Their are ALWAYS going to be missed calls, it’s part of the game. As for improving the quality of officiating, the idea of having full time well paid officials has merit, as does a review board that grades each game. Unfortunately all this would cost money, money universities are unwilling to cough up. I HATE the idea of using more technology, a college game already takes more than 3 hours to play, see how long it takes if we have to review every close call. This nonsense has already nearly ruined college basketball with the interminable “ going to the monitor” during the last 2 minutes. It has destroyed the flow of the game. Why do people insist that football games be perfectly called, football is violent and messy let’s not sacrifice a great form of entertainment because we are so anal retentive that everything has to be perfect.

 

[BBBLazing]

I think having officials give interviews is a horrible idea. I understand they have bad games and make or miss calls that affect games. But giving them a podium is going to encourage them to be a bigger part of the game. The best officials are the ones you've never heard of. The missed face mask call last night was horrendous, but we got the first down after that, so it didn't decide the game. The game is between the teams and making the officials another opponent only complicates things.

 

[CatCrazyChuk]

Stoned in public... I JOKE!!
Hard job for sure and speed of game has to be challenging but that is what they signed up for regardless of the pay. More money is not the answer
for better performance, bad officials are bad officials regardless of their pay. Best thing I believe is to allow coaches to ban certain crews with cause and to give coaches right to challenge missed/unmade calls 1x per half.
Officials need performance reviews with consequences as well.

 

[Girthang]

I thought I would try another thread on a topic that’s been on my mind, officiating. Again, this isn’t about last night’s game, it’s about what should be done to improve officiating. I think a couple of things should be done. First, I think officials should have to do post game interviews and defend some of the questionable calls/no calls they make. I think this will lead to officials being more consistent and more detail oriented. I also think it will lead officials to suggest changes to make the process more efficient and fair because they won’t like being shown their inconsistencies and mistakes each week. I think they would pressure leagues to give them more leeway to reverse calls they missed and to make calls they didn’t see but is clear on video replay. Perhaps an official in the booth at all games, or perhaps all officials in the booth and only one on the field to announce penalties to the crowd. But I think public scrutiny would lead to officials trying to improve the quality of what they do.

I also think technology could be used more. I mentioned officials in the booth earlier, but if officials had various camera angles, could the game be better officiated,by a crew looking at video from those camera angles than by officials on the field? I wonder if the speed of the game doesn’t impair many on field officials from doing their jobs at a high level. Perhaps officiating should evolve to more video review and other technology than on the field review.

I thought this might be an interesting topic for discussion if we can keep it to the broad subject and not about last night’s game.

Accountability.

I think we need to show up in Atlanta for the title game and protest the officiating. Form an association that oversees officiating from the outside independently. Demand changes to the subjective nature of calls, the review process, and the ability of officials in the booth to make calls on the field of infractions that have video evidence in support, as well as overturn clear mistakes by the crew on the field. Add 2-3 booth officials as spotters to watch camera angles in real time that are assigned to games by random draw from a pool of available officials.

The association needs to be able to also review communications and financial transactions of officials and betting agencies relative to the sport officiated in order for them to legally practice.

 

[UKSanders]

First acknowledge that officiating is HARD. 22 guys flying around at top speed, just milaseconds to see an offense and make a decision. Their are ALWAYS going to be missed calls, it’s part of the game. As for improving the quality of officiating, the idea of having full time well paid officials has merit, as does a review board that grades each game. Unfortunately all this would cost money, money universities are unwilling to cough up. I HATE the idea of using more technology, a college game already takes more than 3 hours to play, see how long it takes if we have to review every close call. This nonsense has already nearly ruined college basketball with the interminable “ going to the monitor” during the last 2 minutes. It has destroyed the flow of the game. Why do people insist that football games be perfectly called, football is violent and messy let’s not sacrifice a great form of entertainment because we are so anal retentive that everything has to be perfect.

I have worked as an official, so I can admit it is difficult. While I do realize there will be missed calls and games won't be called perfectly (unless all of the missed calls were in favor of my team, of course ), the game is a FAR CRY from being perfectly called.

Also, considering the amount of money made by the P5 programs, it's hard for me to imagine there isn't money to improve the pay enough to allow officials to earn a reasonable full-time wage that includes training, etc, to raise the floor of the profession. For example, if I remember correctly, SEC schools were paid $40 million/year with the ESPN contract. There are 14 schools, so if each school took even $500-750, that's between 7-8 million dollars. I would think that could go a long way when it comes to paying officials... at least for the major sports.

I don't think that should be expected to cover much for all other sports as I assume a significant discrepancy already exists...as it should if those other sports generate little or no income.

 

[jlkirk]

Why are the types of plays that may be reviewed limited (i. e., fumbles, pass interference, etc.)? Why isn't a face mask violation (or alleged violation) reviewable? Why not open it up to all plays?
Thanks.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Why are the types of plays that may be reviewed limited (i. e., fumbles, pass interference, etc.)? Why isn't a face mask violation (or alleged violation) reviewable? Why not open it up to all plays?
Thanks.

Imo facemask and horse collar should be reviewable like targeting. They're even more clear cut than the targeting call.

The horse collar we got was bad, but what made it even worse was a few plays before jutahn was horse collared and face masked with no call

The Levis lack of call was just completely inexcusable. If you aren't watching the hit on the QB what were they watching?

 

[bthaunert]

Get rid of conference officials... Have them in one group...

Then have a group of people (former players, coaches, and refs) that grade each game... They have to make certain grades to get the big conference... If they fall behind a that grade they drop down to the mid majors... Then FCS, and then D2... Make the pay substantially more so that they would want to stay in the bigger conference...

Hold their asses accountable...

That’s actually exactly how it works. Each official is graded each game. Better grades you get, better games you get.

 

[Johnfarrel]

I thought I would try another thread on a topic that’s been on my mind, officiating. Again, this isn’t about last night’s game, it’s about what should be done to improve officiating. I think a couple of things should be done. First, I think officials should have to do post game interviews and defend some of the questionable calls/no calls they make. I think this will lead to officials being more consistent and more detail oriented. I also think it will lead officials to suggest changes to make the process more efficient and fair because they won’t like being shown their inconsistencies and mistakes each week. I think they would pressure leagues to give them more leeway to reverse calls they missed and to make calls they didn’t see but is clear on video replay. Perhaps an official in the booth at all games, or perhaps all officials in the booth and only one on the field to announce penalties to the crowd. But I think public scrutiny would lead to officials trying to improve the quality of what they do.

I also think technology could be used more. I mentioned officials in the booth earlier, but if officials had various camera angles, could the game be better officiated,by a crew looking at video from those camera angles than by officials on the field? I wonder if the speed of the game doesn’t impair many on field officials from doing their jobs at a high level. Perhaps officiating should evolve to more video review and other technology than on the field review.

I thought this might be an interesting topic for discussion if we can keep it to the broad subject and not about last night’s game.

Agree that officials should be allowed to review calls or no-calls that are obvious on replay. they do it on fumbles, targeting and touchdowns. The non-horse collar and the obvious face mask would have been reversed if review were allowed.

 

[Johnfarrel]

Imo facemask and horse collar should be reviewable like targeting. They're even more clear cut than the targeting call.

The horse collar we got was bad, but what made it even worse was a few plays before jutahn was horse collared and face masked with no call

The Levis lack of call was just completely inexcusable. If you aren't watching the hit on the QB what were they watching?

Give the a coaches a couple more challenges and don't charge a timeout if they lose the challenge. That would allow plays like the horse collar and facemask to be reviewed.

 

[StubbornPenny]

Get rid of conference officials... Have them in one group...

Then have a group of people (former players, coaches, and refs) that grade each game... They have to make certain grades to get the big conference... If they fall behind a that grade they drop down to the mid majors... Then FCS, and then D2... Make the pay substantially more so that they would want to stay in the bigger conference...

Hold their asses accountable...

woah woah get out of here with that common sense

 

[LosGatos]

Get rid of conference officials... Have them in one group...

Then have a group of people (former players, coaches, and refs) that grade each game... They have to make certain grades to get the big conference... If they fall behind a that grade they drop down to the mid majors... Then FCS, and then D2... Make the pay substantially more so that they would want to stay in the bigger conference...

Hold their asses accountable...

There is a lot I like in this post. I'm all for holding officials accountable and relegating the lowest ranked one down a level.

 

[wildcatglenn]

For whatever reason, officiating is up there with politicians and weatherman. Nearly zero consequences from being a bad ref

 

[mrschwump]

Prevent officials from betting on games should be the #1 thing.

 

[Sparky285]

1 officiating challenge a game, doesn’t cost a timeout to use, if you win you can earn a 2nd one but it’s capped at 2 even if you win the 2nd one.

 

[UKSanders]

1 officiating challenge a game, doesn’t cost a timeout to use, if you win you can earn a 2nd one but it’s capped at 2 even if you win the 2nd one.

I don’t understand calling it at such a low number if you are only guaranteed one. If you are winning the challenges, it means the officials are not doing their job.

If you only get one freebie (or even one per half) without earning an extra one, coaches still have to be pretty certain before they throw the challenge flag.

So, I think you could legitimately allow teams to “earn” up to 3 per half without halting the game much more.

Even if it does hold the game up a bit, there other ways to speed the game up to make up the lost time. So, I’d rather get that time back and get bad calls corrected.

 

[UKSanders]

Imo facemask and horse collar should be reviewable like targeting. They're even more clear cut than the targeting call.

The horse collar we got was bad, but what made it even worse was a few plays before jutahn was horse collared and face masked with no call

The Levis lack of call was just completely inexcusable. If you aren't watching the hit on the QB what were they watching?

I agree - any significant potential player safety call should be reviewable…so, facemask and especially horse collar should probably be on that list.

 

[wildcat_bigd]

More money, more responsibility

 

[CB3UK]

Too many egregious plays aren't reviewable.

My opinion has always been it should be all or nothing. We're at the point with this bs I'd rather rather got rid of replay entirely. Watching them spend 5-10 minutes going CSI Miami on video review and still fvcking up the call is absurd.

And more to the point, why are some things reviewable and some not. Why can't coaches challenge some things but others are OK. If Stoops was allowed to challenge that no call he would have won.

Instead the jackass ref doubles down and gives us a 15 yd penalty instead of admitting they effed up.

 

[BlueCat#8]

Hire the dip shits full time and make them attend training every year. When they make mistakes then ding them of their wages and the shit will stop. We have lowered our standards in everything in our society and officiating isn't any different.

 

[Gromcat]

There is a lot I like in this post. I'm all for holding officials accountable and relegating the lowest ranked one down a level.

Here’s your problem. Men are corrupt. I’m fairly sure since watching for 35 years college and pro officials are corrupt. Sports are merely entertainment today, not far from reality tv the way it’s going. So essentially, it’s rigged. There’s too much money involved for the game to remain in any semblance of pure form. That day is over, as the financial incentive is too great for men to turn down, especially if they know anyone above them approves.

So, adding more men to that mix is just going to result in the same. It’s part of the process now.

The only hope is if your team is a beneficiary of the corruption: See Duke in basketball and Alabama in football.

 

[TeoJ]

I don't think officials should all be under one roof so to speak, maybe four groups east,south,west north. Then have schools they ref for report good or bad to a board that will do reviews.You will probably find the same ones under review all the time,at that point do what ya gotta do. I do think they should be paid well enough to be the only job they have.

 

[ktbug]

Several horrible ideas here, some not so bad.
First off, every single play is reviewed by a supervisor. Every single one. You think there is no accountability? Officials are routinely fired, especially at the SEC level. Because you don't hear of it doesn't mean it doesn't occur.
Every official in the south that works college wants to be in the SEC, they don't need to incentivize it, it already is. I can guarantee you there were repercussions for the missed calls Saturday. I can also guarantee you will never know what they are. There are a couple of ex refs living in Lexington. They aren't ex refs because they want to be.

Would paying more help? Don't know, but those guys are being paid pretty well already.

It is a tough job, it is a thankless job, for the most part. If anyone wants to become one, they are always in need of good ones. Try it and you might not yell at the refs as much.

 

[jacobbleedsblue]

I'd say paying them better would reduce the allure of corruption, but then again, you might just have richer refs taking paydays. I really don't understand how you can prevent an official from profiting from his own games anymore with online betting. Maybe somebody else can help me with that. Let's say I've got a buddy I went to high school with going 50/50 on the over/under of my games on his my bookie account. Can that be policed?

 

[vhcat70]

Big-time soccer leagues use VAR - Video Assistance Referee - that can signal to on-field ref to review the play & make a ruling change if they decide. Of course all this crap just slows the games further. Net, just stop & review every play for 5 minutes and take 5-6 hours to get thru them.

 

[mrschwump]

Still say not allowing them to bet on these games will go a long way to forcing them to clean up their act.

 

[Deeeefense]

A lot of great suggestions on here. College football teams that spend so much money and hard work to succeed on Saturdays should be given a fair chance to do so. The fact that we have technology in place that could help correct bad calls/missed calls and it isn't being used is disgraceful IMO.

 

[Creed Bratton]

Imo facemask and horse collar should be reviewable like targeting. They're even more clear cut than the targeting call.

The horse collar we got was bad, but what made it even worse was a few plays before jutahn was horse collared and face masked with no call

The Levis lack of call was just completely inexcusable. If you aren't watching the hit on the QB what were they watching?

The ref that threw the flag was looking directly at his hand which had the jersey about halfway down his back and no where near his collar/name area. That was one of several pathetic calls we did or didn't get that game.

 

[Myotis]

Would paying more help? Don't know, but those guys are being paid pretty well already.

If the article linked by UKSanders above is accurate, they certainly aren't getting "paid pretty well"

This 2018 article claims SEC refs earn between $800 and $3000 per game, which does not include expenses. Even at $3K per game, that's a max of less than $40K per year - hardly raking it in.

SEC Football Referee's Salary | Sapling

Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly called Division 1) officials earn compensation based on their experience and game "importance." Rookie officials, as you might expect, make the least whereas veterans make the most. They do not earn salaries; instead, they are paid per game. The top football...

www.sapling.com

 

[merrimanm]

I think having officials give interviews is a horrible idea. I understand they have bad games and make or miss calls that affect games. But giving them a podium is going to encourage them to be a bigger part of the game. The best officials are the ones you've never heard of. The missed face mask call last night was horrendous, but we got the first down after that, so it didn't decide the game. The game is between the teams and making the officials another opponent only complicates things.

This isn't true. The missed facemask if called would have put us in field goal range.

 

[LosGatos]

Several horrible ideas here, some not so bad.
First off, every single play is reviewed by a supervisor. Every single one. You think there is no accountability? Officials are routinely fired, especially at the SEC level. Because you don't hear of it doesn't mean it doesn't occur.
Every official in the south that works college wants to be in the SEC, they don't need to incentivize it, it already is. I can guarantee you there were repercussions for the missed calls Saturday. I can also guarantee you will never know what they are. There are a couple of ex refs living in Lexington. They aren't ex refs because they want to be.

Would paying more help? Don't know, but those guys are being paid pretty well already.

It is a tough job, it is a thankless job, for the most part. If anyone wants to become one, they are always in need of good ones. Try it and you might not yell at the refs as much.

Thanks for posting. It's good to hear that there is at least some accountability. However, there is a wide spread perception that there is little of no accountability. So why does the league hide the accountability from fans? Making the accountability public would reduce the perception that there is no accountability.

No you don't have to publish the details. No need to name the officials who are not retained. No need to go over ever play. Just a brief announcement, after the season, that X% of officials were not renewed. At least then the fans would know that there was some accountability.

 

[sieken]

They miss calls at the highest level, at game speed it just happens. More reviews equals longer games that are already too long.

 

[Deeeefense]

They miss calls at the highest level, at game speed it just happens. More reviews equals longer games that are already too long.

In college football every play is reviewed anyway. It's ridiculous that during the course of the review they can spot an obviously missed penalty like the face mask that wasn't called but aren't allowed to correct it. They pay for all this technology to make the game fairer but don't fully use it.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I liked the xfl approach of cameras showing ref point of view.

 

[WyleECoyote]

Make officials accountable and make them available to explain their calls to the media after the game, just like we make coaches and players answer questions after the game.