Professional football continues for under the banner of the Alliance of American Football, which begins its inaugural season Feb. 9, just six days after Super Bowl LIII.
The Alliance uses the 8-person mechanics of the NCAA and has 48 officials from Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on six crews. This differs from the NFL in that the umpire is lined up behind the linebackers and an eighth official, the center judge, is used. (Also the position of down judge has its legacy “H” designation, but it is now the “head line judge,” consistent with the NCAA.) Each crew also has a replay official, most of whom have NFL replay experience. A tenth official, known as the “sky judge,” is allowed to intervene in cases where there are missed fouls or flags that should be picked up. The sky judge has been described to Football Zebras as being the game supervisor assigned to the game. There are 4 sky judges and are not attached to the crew. The sky judge can exercise this intervention if their call comes before the next snap, but cannot otherwise stop the game to conduct a review.
Pac-12 referee Steve Strimling is the Alliance coordinator of officials. Former NFL vice presidents of officiating Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino are consultants.
Several of the officials have been scouted by the NFL under its Officiating Development Program. The AAF gives them critical grass time in a professional rule set which has been lacking since NFL Europe folded in 2007. No doubt the NFL is closely monitoring these games, but the league had no formal role in the staffing process. Three women, all of whom have been in the ODP program, are on the field for the Alliance, joining replay official Terri Valenti, who also an NFL replay official.
One official formerly worked in the NFL, and left abruptly in 2015 for an undisclosed reason which was characterized only as not due to officiating performance. Another official worked for 2 seasons in the defunct United Football League.
Officials are listed by their position and uniform number, their current college conference, and seasons worked in an NFL development program. Former NFL players are indicated with their playing experience. Assignments for last season’s major bowl games or conference championships are listed. The ODP seasons are listed (or the “Advanced Development Program” from 2013-14), except where noted: *assigned to a college invitational exhibition game only, †development program for former players.
(Crews are subject to change, especially when there are scheduling obligations to their college conferences.)
| Conference | ODP experience | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 9 | Tra Blake | ACC | ||
| C | 50 | Francisco Villar | Pac-12 | ||
| U | 35 | Terry Killens | American Athletic | 2013-15†, 2016-18, 2019* | NFL LB 1996-2002 (HOUo, TEN, SF, SEA) |
| H | 47 | Rod Amarri | Pac-12 | ||
| L | 54 | Quentin Givens | Big 12 | 2015-17 | |
| F | 67 | Max Causey | Conference USA | 2018, 2019* | |
| S | 76 | Eric Hartman | American Athletic | ||
| B | 25 | Grantis Bell | SEC | 2017*, 2018, 2019* | |
|
Replay official: Robert Lu |
|||||
| Conference | ODP experience | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 19 | James Carter | SEC | 2017-18, 2019* | |
| C | 31 | Amanda Sauer | Mid American | 2017 | |
| U | 49 | Scott Campbell | Big 12 | 2019* | |
| H | 42 | Patrick Holt | Big Ten | 2018, 2019* | |
| L | 58 | Andy Warner | Big 12 | ||
| F | 62 | Tony Meyer | Conference USA | ||
| S | 72 | Justin Larrew | Conference USA | 2016-17, 2018* | 2018 conference championship game |
| B | 26 | Justin Nelson | Pac-12 | 2016-2018, 2019* | 2018 conference championship game |
|
Replay official: Jimmy Oldham |
|||||
| Conference | ODP experience | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 81 | Brandon Cruse | Big 12 | 2018, 2019* | |
| C | 22 | Larry Smith | Big Ten | 2016 | |
| U | 88 | Mike Morton | ACC | 2014†, 2015-17, 2018* | NFL LB 1995-2001 (OAK, STLr, GB, IND) |
| H | 44 | Tripp Sutter | Big Ten | 2018 | 2018 National Championship game |
| L | 59 | Brett Bergman | Big Ten | ||
| F | 3 | Anthony Flemming | Big 12 | 2017*, 2018 | |
| S | 79 | Nate Jones | Pac-12 | 2013-15†, 2016-18, 2019* | NFL CB 2004-11 (DAL, MIA, DEN, NE). |
| B | 23 | David Ross | Pac-12 | ||
|
Replay official: Mark Butterworth |
|||||
| Conference | ODP experience | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 84 | Jeff Heaser | ACC | 2018, 2019* | 2018 conference championship game |
| C | 33 | Chris Snead | SEC | 2014-15, 2016*, 2017, 2018* | United Football League referee 2010-11 |
| U | 38 | Mike Moten | SEC | 2015 | |
| H | 17 | Cravonne Barrett | Pac-12 | 2018 | |
| L | 55 | Robin DeLorenzo | Mid American | 2017-18 | |
| F | 5 | Glen Fucik | SEC | 2018, 2019* | 2018 conference championship game |
| S | 91 | Frank Steratore | Big Ten | 2016-18 | 2018 National Championship game |
| B | 96 | Jimmy Russell | SEC | 2017-18 | 2018 Rose Bowl |
|
Replay official: Saleem Choudhry |
|||||
| Conference | ODP experience | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 14 | John O’Neill | Big Ten | ||
| C | 82 | Ron Turner | Sun Belt | ||
| U | 51 | Tab Slaughter | Big 12 | 2016-18 | 2018 conference championship game |
| H | 8 | James Wharrie | Pac-12 | ||
| L | 28 | Tom Eaton | Conference USA | 2017-18, 2019* | |
| F | 6 | Lo Van Pham | Big 12 | 2018, 2019* | 2018 Peach Bowl |
| S | 94 | Maurice Pierre | Conference USA | 2018, 2019* | |
| B | 90 | Tyree Walton | Mountain West | ||
|
Replay official: Terri Valenti |
|||||
| Conference | ODP experience | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 2 | Reggie Smith | Big 12 | 2016, 2017* | 2018 conference championship game |
| C | 27 | Adam Savoie | American Athletic | 2017-18, 2019* | |
| U | 86 | Ed Feaster | Big Ten | 2017-18 | 2018 National Championship game |
| H | 11 | Dale Keller | Pac-12 | ||
| L | 21 | Maia Chaka | Conference USA | 2014-17 | |
| F | 63 | Daniel Gautreaux | Conference USA | 2016 | |
| S | 99 | Clay Reynard | Pac-12 | 2013-14, 2018, 2019* | 2018 Sugar Bowl |
| B | 29 | Jimmy DeBell | Conference USA | 2007 (NFL Europe) | NFL official 2009-14 |
|
Replay official: Glenn King |
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Swing replay official: Brian Lopinto
The AAF zebra uniforms are the worst design possible. The shoulder stars are no big deal … but the black “vest-like” middle piece only highlights the stomach. Makes the refs look paunchy, even if they aren’t. Sports fashion fail much?
The uniform design makes them look like cops with body armor. I know they’re trying to go for a more modern look instead of the same old zebra stripes, but I don’t think it worked.
LOL! Comments are so funny that I also would like to add a few words!
But I want to thank you for the article and schedule of the games!
I have a question Ben. Is there any talk about using this like they used to NFL Europe for prospective referees. I know they would have to change the bargaining agreement but is there any talk about having say prospective NFL referees come to this league and take the white hat for the season?