Mike Defee, a former Big 12 referee and current referee trainer for the NFL, is the new coordinator of football officials for Conference USA. Defee replaces Gerald Austin. Defee will retain his post as a trainer for referees and new NFL officials. Austin will continue to work with the conference
Author: Mark Schultz
Mark Schultz is a high school football official, freelance writer and journalist. He first became interested in officiating when he was six years old, was watching a NFL game with his father and asked the fateful question, "Dad, what are those guys in the striped shirts doing?"
Throwback to the 1992 playoffs: Referee Dale Hamer roughed up and gained respect from John Madden
3-time Super Bowl official Don Hakes passes away
Mark Baltz, an NFL official for 26 seasons, is named 2021 NFLRA Honoree
Fred Wyant, NFL referee and line judge for 27 seasons, has passed away
NFL should run far away from reviewable roughing the passer rule proposal
The NFL will reportedly consider changing the rules to make roughing the passer a reviewable play for the 2021 NFL season. This appears to be a proposal submitted to the Competition Committee from one or more teams. It is a proposal that should send shivers down everyone's spine. Over the years, the
3 NFL officials have retired so far
Retiring officials sometimes leave their shoes on the field after their last game. Football Zebras has learned that officials Ruben Fowler, Tom Symonette and Bart Longson will not return to the National Football League in the 2021 season. Typically, the NFL does not announce why an official leaves the league, although
NFL announces closer officiating ties with select college conferences
The NFL announced Thursday that it is forming a closer officiating relationship with select college conferences to improve "the officiating pipeline." The goal is to share NFL mechanics, technology and resources with college partners, expand recruiting opportunities, provide more opportunities for women and minorities and strengthen officials' training. The Big Ten, Conference
