Big Sky football officials, graded among best in FCS, adjust to tweaks for upcoming season
Football officials participated in presentations, seminars and exercises during a two-day meeting at the Big Sky Kickoff as part of their offseason training.
Officials at all levels work hard. And they usually do get calls right. Especiallly with replay. Officials are instructed by their governing body (NFHS , NCAA and NFL) what are going to be the "points of emphasis" for the season. Many of these are safety related. The coaches are updated on these points far in advance of the season. Officials on the whole try to be consistent in enforcing these. They don't make the rules but they get the heat for what are often vague or poorly written rule changes. All football officials at all three levels are not full time (even NFL which I think is crazy) and they spend a lot time (non paid) learning, studying and trying to correct things. If you watch a game and don't talk about officials then they did a great job. If you watch a game and complain about one or two plays out of 180 the they probably still did a great job.![]()
Big Sky football officials, graded among best in FCS, adjust to tweaks for upcoming season
Football officials participated in presentations, seminars and exercises during a two-day meeting at the Big Sky Kickoff as part of their offseason training.www.montanasports.com
I agree but it's always the really bad boneheaded ones that we remember.Officials at all levels work hard. And they usually do get calls right. Especiallly with replay. Officials are instructed by their governing body (NFHS , NCAA and NFL) what are going to be the "points of emphasis" for the season. Many of these are safety related. The coaches are updated on these points far in advance of the season. Officials on the whole try to be consistent in enforcing these. They don't make the rules but they get the heat for what are often vague or poorly written rule changes. All football officials at all three levels are not full time (even NFL which I think is crazy) and they spend a lot time (non paid) learning, studying and trying to correct things. If you watch a game and don't talk about officials then they did a great job. If you watch a game and complain about one or two plays out of 180 the they probably still did a great job.
Yeah I've never understood why some calls still aren't reviewable, even with the advent of replay. When everyone has already seen the replay and knows that a call was wrong, it should be reviewed and be able to be overturned. Back in the old days it was a different story, no one had cameras and we had to just depend on the officials eyesight and judgment. Things are different now, but I also think they don't want to let "less consequential" calls be reviewable because then it tends to lengthen the game and we all know that the goal is to shorten the game as much as possible.IMO, if coaches and players are questioning a call, it should be looked at and reviewed just to ensure it was the correct call or no call. I can't understand why a play can't be reviewed if replay is available? Just get it right that is the bottom line.
I think it needs to be limited, and quite frankly there is probably only a play or two per game max. If they would incorporate an actual challenge system or similar, it would be sufficient.IMO, if coaches and players are questioning a call, it should be looked at and reviewed just to ensure it was the correct call or no call. I can't understand why a play can't be reviewed if replay is available? Just get it right that is the bottom line.
While they aren't full time employees for tax and employment purposes, they are paid very well now and wouldn't necessarily need another job in any way. The pay range is from $100,000 to $200,000 per year now. They are missing out on benefits like healthcare and retirement.Officials at all levels work hard. And they usually do get calls right. Especiallly with replay. Officials are instructed by their governing body (NFHS , NCAA and NFL) what are going to be the "points of emphasis" for the season. Many of these are safety related. The coaches are updated on these points far in advance of the season. Officials on the whole try to be consistent in enforcing these. They don't make the rules but they get the heat for what are often vague or poorly written rule changes. All football officials at all three levels are not full time (even NFL which I think is crazy) and they spend a lot time (non paid) learning, studying and trying to correct things. If you watch a game and don't talk about officials then they did a great job. If you watch a game and complain about one or two plays out of 180 the they probably still did a great job.
Yeah that's a lot more money than that article made it sound like they make. That's awfully good for a supposedly "part-time" incomeWhile they aren't full time employees for tax and employment purposes, they are paid very well now and wouldn't necessarily need another job in any way. The pay range is from $100,000 to $200,000 per year now. They are missing out on benefits like healthcare and retirement.
NFL right? Not Big SkyWhile they aren't full time employees for tax and employment purposes, they are paid very well now and wouldn't necessarily need another job in any way. The pay range is from $100,000 to $200,000 per year now. They are missing out on benefits like healthcare and retirement.
Big distinction.NFL right? Not Big Sky
Correct. BSC level official is no where near that amount.NFL right? Not Big Sky
Correct, yes. Sorry for lacking clarity on that.NFL right? Not Big Sky
Yeah I totally misunderstood lol.Correct, yes. Sorry for lacking clarity on that.
I wrote it poorly, to be honest.Yeah I totally misunderstood lol.
I think it needs to be limited, and quite frankly there is probably only a play or two per game max. If they would incorporate an actual challenge system or similar, it would be sufficient.
Like the one where Nguyen backed out of the end zone on a kickoff and they called a safety when the rules were clear this was a touchback and all we got was an apology when it ended up costing the game. Clearly, that crew showed after huddling up and stated the call would stand that they didn't know the rules.I agree but it's always the really bad boneheaded ones that we remember.