Four former college football officials will be rules analysts for ESPN this Fall

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Steve Shaw, who recently retired as the NCAA national officials coordinator and secretary-rules editor, will join ESPN’s lead college football telecast when the 2026 season kicks off in a few weeks.

Shaw will be one of four former officials who will work as rules analysts this season. Joining Shaw will be returning analysts Bill Lemonnier, Matt Austin, and Jerry McGinn.

Before becoming national coordinator, Shaw was a referee for 22-seasons, including 16 in the Southeastern Conference. When he stepped off the field, Shaw was first supervisor of officials for the SEC, then took the national position.

Why so many rules analysts?

Are four rules analysts overkill? For ESPN, absolutely not. ESPN has college football games almost every night of the week that the NFL isn’t playing. Having just one rules analyst would be exhausting for the former official. Even two analysts would be stretched thin.

We don’t know how the assignments will break down, except that Shaw will be on the lead ESPN college football game every week.

These rules analysts have a lot of work to do during a game. They have to make sure the announcers get the right rules interpretation, explain what the crew is doing on the field, explain crew mechanics, and break down a replay review.

And, sometimes they need to talk an announcer down, who is ready for the game to be over.

Congratulations to Shaw on his new role with ESPN, and best wishes to all of the ESPN officiating and rules analysts as they begin a new season.