A name change won’t be the only new makeover for Pac-10 (er, 12) football this upcoming season.
On a related note, if you’ve held a long-standing grudge with Pac-10 officiating, consider your your cries of blasphemy heard.
The Pac-10 has announced on their website that Mike Pereira, former Vice President of Officiating for the NFL, will serve as the conference’s interim Coordinator of Officiating for next season. The announcement comes after Dave Cutaia “requested to step down” from the same position.
“Dave Cutaia has been an integral part of the Pac-10 Conference for 27 years as an official and as our Coordinator of Football Officiating,” Commissioner Larry Scott said in the release. “His professionalism and dedication are first class and we thank him for all of his efforts and devotion to the Pac-10.”
Pereira served as a consultant for the Pac-10 in 2010 and conducted a season-long review of the conferences officiating practices. Pereira will be in charge of restructuring the football officiating program as it coincides with the addition of Utah and Colorado to form the Pac-12.
Exciting? Scott thinks so.
“Like in other high priority areas, we have taken a fresh look at our program, and will be implementing a series of changes that are forward-looking, innovative and take our program to the next level,” Scott said. “The game and level of play is always improving, so it’s essential that in the critical area of officiating, the program continue to evolve and improve as well.”
In other words, no more bad calls. Rejoice.