Football Officials Have Begun the 2025 Season
On January 20, 2025, Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to capture the first CFP first 12-team playoff Championship, which essentially ended the 2024-25 college football season. There will be no more football until scholarship portal signees are done placing their John Hancock on the dotted line.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
On January 20, 2025, Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to capture the first CFP first 12-team playoff Championship, which essentially ended the 2024-25 college football season. There will be no more football until scholarship portal signees are done placing their John Hancock on the dotted line. Then Spring ball starts. (As Lou Corso would say, “Not so fast my friend “).
On Jan 19, one day before the title game, the Southern California Football Officials Clinic (SCFOC) took place at East Los Angeles College. It was the 9th Annual event that brought in some college officials and instructors from around the country.
Darryl Johnson spent years working the PAC 12 and now with the ACC has worked two rounds of this years CFP including Ohio State -Texas in the Cotton Bowl Camper received hands-on and on-field Comprehensive Training hands-on, on-field officiating sessions. Many of the Officials will enter new conferences like the American Athletic and BIG 12. There was also specialized replay review training.
Top-Tier Instructors: Learn from accomplished officiating professionals who are passionate about your development. Officials were placed on the field as crew. They did multiple scrimmage plays.
Kieth Gorman was a line judge in the BIG 12 championship game on his way to Penn State Notre Dame Orange Bowl for the CFP.
“You need to pay attention and learn from these instructors,” said David Coleman, PAC-12 Supervisor of Officials, in a pre-camp speech to campers. “There is no doubt you have some of the best instructors anywhere. The PAC-12 will be back,” said David Coleman, Supervisor of PAC12 officials. The Conference will return in 2026.
Greg Truex (white hat) gave instructions to the crew at the Clinic. Photos – Sara Medina
When the PAC 12 dissolved into two teams, the Big Ten had been the most active conference in this space. It added a total of 16 Pac-12 officials – both on-field and instant replay – since the end of the 2022 season. Six of them moved over before the 2023 season once USC and UCLA announced they were leaving the Pac-12.
Glen Rathburn -“I have gained so much in a short period of time. I am ready to go to any conference that will have me.” He’s retiring from the Air Force and has worked at the Junior College level for years.
The “Referee of The Camp” was Derek Deardorff. He has the look, hustle, and instinct for the game. For his efforts, he will receive a scholarship paid for by the SWAC Conference.
“One big thing I learned is the pre-snap routine. Knowing the down and distance helps prepare you for what’s coming. I don’t know what I did to deserve the honor, but I am grateful.”
The Clinic has sent players all around the country, including around 4 to the NFL in nine years. Karina Tovar became the first female Latina referee to join the NFL.
