Wanted: NFL officiating supervisor proficient in Word and Excel

The NFL officiating department is going through significant upheaval this season. The fact that the department has lost senior vice president of officiating Dean Blandino to a television gig is only the latest development. Blandino’s successor will have some résumés to review as there are additional positions to be filled.

The 2016 season was the last year of service for three venerable officials who have been working in a training capacity. Jerry Markbreit, Ron Botchan, and Ben Montgomery — collectively possessing a staggering 11 Super Bowl rings — will no longer be trainers, presumably to bring in more recent retired officials. A league source requesting anonymity stated that the three former trainers would continue to contribute to officiating in other ways and that “some changes” are coming to the officiating training program.

As previously reported, the NFL has hired four new officials with three vacancies due to retirement last season. There is a likelihood that there are additional vacancies that will need to be filled; rumors of at least two additional departing officials are circulating, although Football Zebras has been told by a highly placed officiating source that these reports are premature.

Scott Green, the executive director of the officials’ union, has stated that the league should hire a current or former official to replace Blandino; while immensely qualified otherwise, Blandino’s lack of on-field officiating experience at any level was known to cause friction in the officiating staff. If Blandino’s replacement comes from the pool of current officials, that will be another pair of cleats that need to be filled. If a former official is named, that person would likely come from the supervisory staff, and necessitate a replacement, which also might create a field vacancy if someone is bumped up.

And, we aren’t through. Long-time regional supervisor Neely Dunn retired at the end of last season, and the league already put out feelers to the officiating ranks. Since Dunn was the supervisor of the deep officials, it is likely that the hire will have experience as a side judge, field judge, or back judge. There is also the possibility the league is adding an additional supervisor, so that they can rotate supervisors into the officiating command bunker to provide additional manpower to accommodate the new rule on centralized replay.

Update 4/21: The league posted the vacancy for the senior vice president of officiating.

While the position of senior vice president of the officiating department has tremendous responsibility, the regional supervisors also have a full plate, as the league’s job posting shows:

This position will play a role in maintaining the integrity and consistency of Officiating for the National Football League. The Regional Supervisor will assist the SVP of officiating in the duties and responsibilities outlined below:

In Season (Mid July- January)

1. Attend annual NFL officiating clinic and lead position breakout sessions.
2. Attend NFL training camps to work with coaching staffs and Game Officials during practice and meetings.
3. Attend and evaluate NFL preseason games.
4. Attend one NFL game per weekend during regular season including the Saturday crew meeting.
5. Evaluate NFL regular season games.
6. Create bi-weekly position tape as the position specialist.
7. Provide weekly support and feedback to Game Officials at their position including a written progress report twice a season.
8. Attend and evaluate one post season game each weekend.
9. Create year-end evaluation report for each Game Official at their position highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
10. Provide additional support to designated NFL clubs.
11. Support Officiating Development program by scouting in local area during NCAA football season
12. Any other duties as requested by the Senior Vice President of Officiating.

Off Season (February-Mid July)

1. Attend meetings at League office to prepare for upcoming season.
2. Recruit, develop and train local officials in each of the League cities to work with the clubs throughout the year.
3. Attend OTA’s and mini-camps.
4. Attend rules study sessions with NFL Officials.
5. Visit designated coaching staffs to cover new rules, points of emphasis, and other officiating issues.
6. Conduct mini-clinics with NFL Officials who need extra work.
7. Create rules tests for pre-season and regular season.
8. Create video library relating to specific rules and play situations.
9. Attend and scout college spring games.
10. Forge relationships with college officiating coordinators.
11. Conduct annual officiating candidate interviews.
12. Forge relationships with the local high school associations.
13. Attend college officiating clinics.
14. Any other duties as requested by the Senior Vice President of Officiating.

SPECIAL SKILLS/ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• This individual will have superior management skills, a strong executive presence, and exceptional communication skills. Outstanding oral and written communication skills. Ability to represent the NFL to a wide range of audiences including club executives, league department heads, players, coaches, game officials and fans.
• Relationship skills. Proven ability to build strong relationships and establish credibility quickly in key relationships.

• This individual will have a solid understanding of NFL officiating rules and game day football operations.

• Computer proficient: Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, Excel, Outlook), Internet, and NFL Vision.

INTERNAL CONTACTS:

Club executives, NFL officials, Coaches and Players

EXTERNAL CONTACTS:

College Supervisors and Local high school associations

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Extensive travel required