and one official resigned, possibly others to come. For those who follow NCAA officiating, you may find this article interesting. From the Knoxville (TN) News-Sentinel:

Guthrie says SEC terminated him
Coordinator of officials replaced by Boudreaux

By JOHN ADAMS, [email protected]
December 15, 2005


John Guthrie, the SEC's coordinator of basketball officials, has been replaced by long-time conference official Gerald Boudreaux, SEC commissioner Mike Slive announced Wednesday. Boudreaux will serve on an interim basis until a full-time coordinator of officials is hired.
The two-paragraph press release gave no reason for the change.

"I was terminated," Guthrie said in a telephone interview Wednesday. "I was asked to resign but I did not. You can quote me on that."

Slive said Wednesday evening, "This is a personnel matter that the conference will have no further comment on."

Guthrie's termination came a day after the announced resignation of SEC basketball official Travis Correll of Atlanta. Last week, Correll was listed in a civil action filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The suit alleges Correll and others operated a fraudulent investment scheme, which has raised more than $36 million since July 2004.

Guthrie said his termination had nothing to do with the investigation of Correll. "It's an entirely different matter," he said.

He said he didn't want to comment further on the reason for his termination but might do so later. Guthrie, who has worked from his home in Atlanta, said he had been the coordinator of conference officials since 1981.

A News Sentinel source said at least two other SEC basketball officials have been employed by Correll's Atlanta-based company, Horizon Establishment, and that other officials had invested in the company.

The News Sentinel contacted one of the officials who reportedly had been employed by the company. He said he would defer all questions to his attorney but would not give the name of his attorney.

Both Slive and Guthrie said Tuesday they were unaware of other officials being involved with Horizon Establishment. Correll did not return calls to the News Sentinel.

The Federal Securities and Exchange Commission alleges that Correll and other defendants in the suit promised investors four to 12 percent monthly returns in a bank deposit program without risk to their investment principal. According to the commission, the bank deposit program does not exist; investment returns were derived from the proceeds of other investors.

Copyright 2005, Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.

Oh my.

Travis worked in Chattanooga last night, must have been his last game.

Tomegun started a thread about this the other day, but it disappeared. I can only say that I'm sorry that Coach Guthrie has been lumped in with this other investigation. If his termination really has nothing to do with the securities thing, then it's a disservice to him to lump his story in with the fraud story.

I've met him and am sorry that his tenure ends this way. I'd like to hear the full story, b/c I can't imagine what would cause him to be fired in mid-season.

Agreed, it would be entirely irresponsible to connect this without sufficient evidence, but hey, I've seen worse form the esteemed news media.

By the way, today they are also stating that the SEC will no longer assign games to Jason McNeil as well.

Jason probably isn't the only one that will be "let go." I would say, it probably isn't a coincidence that these two situations are in the same story and happened at the same time. There are other things involved making it obvious they are linked.

I deleted the thread because it seemed like the general response was "so?" Actually, I could understand this response so I got rid of it. BUT, this could have a domino effect for change all the way across the country so it could have an impact on many people with D1 aspirations.

That's too bad, too. I met Jason at camp and he seemed like a pretty good guy. I hope Coach wasn't involved in the fraud thing. :(

Tommy,

I think a lot of us are still trying to figure out how this situation is going to affect officials that are trying to advance to that level, other than officials that live in the area of the SEC. I know I do not live in the SEC area and this would not likely affect me or any other officials in my area. Unless you were on some short list to be the next set of SEC officials, I do not see how one conference firing their coordinator of officials is going to affect everyone else.

Peace

My guess is that a lot of assignors will want the SEC job. Depending on who eventually gets it, it may lead to several other conferences changing their assignors as well.

Kind of like a couple years ago when Roy Williams left Kansas to take the UNC head coaching job. How many coaching changes resulted b/c of that one move? I don't know, I'm just using it as an example. But maybe if enough supervisors change conferences, it could affect guys in several areas who are hoping to move up to those staffs. Just my guess.

Since this is an SEC thread. . . Anybody notice one of the officials in last night's UK/Louisville game was reporting with two hands? Also gave the "punch" for a player control foul.

Jimmy Burr was on the game, I'm pretty sure. But he wasn't the one using the two hands (that I saw, anyway).

It was the tall guy with dark hair that whacked Pitino.

That is no different than any other opening. Around here there are a few changes with coordinators and losing conferences. I guess when he said it would change officiating as we know it (or something to that affect). I was curious how this change was going to affect all of us. I understand that this is a big conference, but when the ACC got rid of their official's coordinator, they hired a current official for the job. I did not see anything that changed drastically by that move. At least no big change in this part of the country was felt. Oh well, I digress.

Peace

Perhaps that's because you don't see a lot of ACC games. The staff has changed quite a bit.

I think Tomegun was saying that if this fraud thing plus the firing of the supervisor results in a huge turnover in the SEC, other conferences will definitely be affected. Officials changing primary conference affiliation, a new supervisor bringing in offiicals he's previously worked with, etc.

BTW, there will also be a new football supervisor of officials in the SEC. The SEC is widely regarded as the weakest football officiating conference in the country. The ACC ended their officiating affiliation with the SEC in basketball two years ago.

Tony,

To what extent were the basketball conferences affiliated? And, how did it change? And, why?

Mulk

That all might be true Tony, but in the area I live what the SEC does is not really going to change what happens with the Big Ten or what the mid-major basketball conferences do. If you only work in the SEC or the lower level conferences that feed into the SEC, you will be affected. Now that is just my opinion.

Peace

OK, this situation could effect everyone except Rut. :rolleyes:

This firing could cause supervisors of major conferences to shift over one conference across the US. In fact, the Big Ten could be one of the only major conferences this doesn't effect. I said could be.

Rut also isn't aware of the amount of power coach Guthrie has in officiating. There are probably 100 guys who were in the "system." Now we don't even know if the system will still include the smaller leagues as feeders. Plus, the guys who worked a certain way, to include running, will have a big question mark about their future. Someone on the brink of D1 could get pushed back.

In regards to the ACC not having a big impact across the country - two programs, two totally different situations.

Who said anything about me? I do not work D1, I could personally give a damn what happens. When I get to that point I will worry about it then.

Still, not sure how that affects the guys on the cusp of working the Big Ten, Conference USA or the Big 12. I guess it does in your mind and we all have to worry about it as if the sky is falling.

Why not wait until the new coordinator is hired and then jump off the bridge. ;)

Peace

Rut,

Why does it pain you so much to concede that this might not be just a regional story? I would have thought you realized that there are significant differences among the officiating philosophies of some of the supervisors of the power conferences. If one supervisor adds a new conference, that almost necessarily implies that a lot of officials will fall out of favor with their (new) supervisor, because they will not have been trained by him and his trusted advisors. That, in turn means that those officials who are in the good graces of their (old) supervisor stand to benefit because there are now more games available for them to be assigned to.

If you're still having trouble connecting the dots, Mike Slive is the commissioner of the SEC. Care to guess which conference he came to the SEC from?

Nobody is saying that you are, or will be affected by this. Nobody even cares. A couple of people are simply making the (generally) uncontroversial statement that this move could affect many more than just those under the SEC umbrella. Sheesh.

FWIW, the ACC did not hire an active official as its supervisor when the position came open last year. They hired newly retired John Clougherty. And Tony's right when he writes that things are not the same there.

I do not recall that I said this was just a regional story. The SEC is a national conference that sounds like a national story to me.

Secondly, if you actually read what I said in previous posts, I said that it might affect those that work in those areas (the southern region of the country) but I can tell you it is likely not going to change what happens in the Midwest and all those D1 conferences and probably will not change at all what goes on in the Pacific conferences. Dude, this is just an opinion. This is no different than us discussing whether the Colts should rest their stars for the playoffs or try to go for the undefeated season (not an issue anymore ;)) It is not a big deal.

So what.

I did not realize that what I said was that big of deal. If Tommy was so passionate about the original post, why did he delete it when just about everyone was unaffected by his hyperbole of how important the situation was? I swear to God sometimes I really do not understand you guys. If you want to discuss something, be prepared for all sides of the issue to be discussed. If you cannot handle that, then this place is not going to be for you. I gave my opinion and that is all it is, <b>MY FREAKIN OPINION</b>. I personally do not care how it is going to affect anyone else either. It is not a life or death situation. It is just officiating guys. You mean people are suffering all over the world and you are worried that I shared an opinion that in the bigger picture is not going to mean anything. I do not recall that anyone in the SEC is going to ask any of us what we think.

If it makes you feel better the assignor for the Mid-Con was the assignor for the MAC last year but was released (quit or fired I do not know) before the season started. That change affected a bunch of officials in our area. I also know that the Big Ten fired a bunch of officials that only worked in the Big Ten last year. Most of those officials fired only worked one or two games anyway. The MAC and Mid-Con were both conferences that many officials would use to get into the bigger conferences in the midwest (as well as Missouri Valley or Ohio Valley). Now that was a huge conversation around here and it affected which camp many officials in my area were going to attend. I also know a camp that I have attended the last few years is going to have the new MAC Coordinator probably show up and observe officials at this camp. Now that was bigger news where I live. Maybe it is not a national story, but it sure was talked about more than who runs the SEC.

Are you happy now?

Peace

Wow. I think you just broke the record for non sequitors in a single post.

If it is just your opinion, let everyone else discuss it without your input. We know what your opinion is so now you don't have to commment on it.

I deleted the previous post because I wanted to. I don't have to offer you any other explaination. It shouldn't be any concern to you why I did it anyway. You made your opinion known in that thread so your opinion isn't needed in this one.

I think most of us know this isn't life or death. We just talk about something we have a passion for. Again, once you make your opinion known, you don't have to say anything else.

This could possibly effect every major conference west of the SEC except the Big Ten (probably more north) and the PAC 10. If someone doesn't agree, fine. If that opinion is already known, what is the purpose of reading the thread and commenting further?

I think we need to close this thread until there are definate answers and not speculation.

Tommy, I have been here a long time. If you do not like what is discussed, do not come here. I cannot tell anyone what not to discuss. If you do not like the opinions that are said here, once again this is not the place for you. I asked you a question and we shared opinions. I will continue to share my opinion in any thread I choose to. And I know many other people will share their opinion when they like. That is what people do.

You deleted the pose because you "wanted to." You also got mad because many did not share your opinion on the issue. It was not like I was the only one that asked you how this was such a big deal?

I will share my opinion on any subject at any time I feel like it. If you do not want to hear my opinion or any other opinion that bothers you, you will either have to deal with it or find somewhere else to have your conversations.

THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING. It might affect every conference and it might not. We will see wont we. Not sure why it is a problem. Funny, I have not read any articles that suggested such a thing. I have not talked to any officials that feel that way. Oh well.

Peace

I think I have been here a little longer than you according to the date we registered. I know what I'm getting into and you are a little different.

I said what I have to say and then you say what you have to say. By this time we all know that you can't see how it is going to impact anyone outside the SEC. I think the conversation continued without you and your opinion. Once again, you felt like you needed to insert the opinion you already stated. Why?

You keep pointing out that you aren't working in the Big Ten or on the cusp of it. I guess that shows how much you know since the supervisor, and the way they operate, have a HUGE impact on whether someone IS on the cusp of getting into a conference or not.

I had some more to say but I realized you have your opinion and I have mine. I can't tell you what to say or anything like that (like you pointed out). Whatever.

Relax Tommy, it is going to be alright.
 

Is this not a free country? Did I violate any codes of conduct on this site by sharing my opinion? You must think we are in Cuba and this is communism. I can share any opinion I like and involve myself in any conversation I choose to. That also would apply to anyone else that has an opinion. I do not see you telling others (I know I do not do that) to not comment in threads on this very public forum.

Tommy, I live in an area where Big Ten officials are all over the place. I not only know D1 Women officials, I know D1 Men's officials as well. I attended camps these officials run. I attended a camp last summer where a D1 coordinator of a mid-major conference ran a one day camp to evaluate officials for all his conferences ranging from JUCO, D3, D2 and his D1 league. His presentation to the officials in attendance to the camp was all about what it took to get to the Division 1 level and how his conference fit in that equation. He did not discuss mechanics or philosophy of officiating. He only discussed the process of how he hires D1 officials and how his smaller conferences are used. I have a mentor that lives in my town and I have worked with many times who has worked D1 for many years and was on ESPN a week ago Saturday. I have talked to him extensively about working college basketball and going to some higher profile camps. I am not speaking from a place where I am completely unaware of what goes on around here. I also have many friends that attend camps on a regular basis and are trying very hard to get to that level. I work HS for 2 guys that once worked in the Big Ten and I did as of 2 years ago work for an officials that just last year was in a NCAA Regional Championship Game until he stopped assigning that HS conference a couple of years ago. So I might not be personally on the verge of D1 greatness, but I talk to many officials that work that level and talk a lot about their situations and how those assignors change things.

The problem Tommy is you are so close to the situation you are not worried that you will be on the outside looking in. I can tell you that there are not many officials in my area that even consider the SEC as a realistic possibility to work basketball games. So what happens with the SEC (unless they change the entire assigning process with regional assignors) is not a "major issue" for officials here. We do not have an "Official's Development Program" here. The conferences around here do not use the same officials as a philosophy like the SEC and the ACC did over the last few years. So if you do not like what I have to say about that, you will have to deal with it.

I just asked how this was going to be such a big deal and you are all worried that what I have said is going to really matter. Tommy, I have no idea as you do not have any idea what is really going to happen with this situation. Stop trying to tell everyone that we should agree with your opinion on how big this is.


Peace

Yawn.

Is that your personal opinion?

I concur!

What is this? Cuba? I can't even yawn anymore? Just because they don't yawn in your part of the country doesn't have any effect on how people yawn in my part of the country. If you don't want to yawn, fine. But last time I checked, this was a discussion forum. If you don't want to discuss my yawn, then just don't reply.

Sorry about that. I'll send you a donut to make up for it.

At this point, I concur too!

At this point who really gives a damn? ;)

Peace

Whether people yawn or not in my area has nothing to do with the fact that I could care less when you yawn. It doesn't matter to me if you yawn or not but this is a discussion forum and if you don't want me to discuss yawning you should not post your yawns. I know many big-time yawners and even though I'm not myself on the cusp of getting on a D1 yawning staff I can say that you have your opinion and I have my opinion and your yawns do not make a difference to me in my life.

Sorry but just because you say it doesn't make it true. The Big 10 could easily be affected.

1- The new SEC supervisor could come from the officiating staff of the Big 10. That would affect the Big 10.

2- The new supervisor could recurit officials that currently work in the Big 10 to the SEC. That would affect the Big 10.

So yes, what happens in the SEC could affect the Big 10, whether you agree or not.

YAWN!

This rant is much better than my rant. This actually made me laugh out loud. Have a donut on me. :)

JR, I always figgred you'd have more wrinkles. But both you, and your frock look freshly pressed. :)

I do not recall that I said it would or would not affect them, I asked how it would affect the nation? I still have not heard an answer that shows that it will affect the nation as suggested. All I have heard is hyperbole and speculation. Based on what I know it is unlikely this will have that much affect. Of course it will possibly change a few people, but I do not see it making that much of an impact (sue me for having an opinion). And after all, nothing that we say here is going to make a hill of beans when it is all said and done. No one is going to care what any of us think or why we think the way we do. The SEC is going to do what is best for the SEC, not what is best for those here.

Peace

Get pressed.

Iow, frock you too. :D

Tony,

Don't let an airtight argument get in the way of me not giving a damn.

Ummm
 

I'm guessing this thread has reached a point where someone should be shouting, "Shut up!"

Anyone else agree??? ;)

Re: Ummm
 

Yep, sounds like it may happen soon!

Nonononononoooooo.........

Leave the thread alone....
http://www.forumspile.com/Drama-Captain_McAllister.jpg

yawn...

A source close to the situation tells me that 30+/- officials will be affected, quite a ripple in the Force Luke!

LOL, you win! I can't top that :)

This is going to change alot of things. Boudreaux is only interested in the SEC. The OVC and Atlantic Sun will have new supervisors as will the Big South. This will affect alot of officials. As for this info on the officials that where let go. Everyone in the South knows they where carrying Guthrie's bags and it came back to haunt him. 36 million investment skeem I wonder how many other people are involved

I would see the OVC and the other conferences you mentioned as a bigger deal. If you are already in the SEC, you might remain there for a least a little while. Many officials are not working 20+ game schedules in the big conference like that. Unless you are an officials that works in many of those conferences, your job would be in jeopardy in any conference at the D1 level. If you are working primarily in a mid-major conference, a change in the coordinator of officials might change your ability to stay in the SEC or any big conference. That is a much bigger deal. I guess I will get ripped for saying that. Forgive me for not agreeing with those that seemed to be really concerned about this issue. :rolleyes:

Peace

No one knows how depressed I was when Mr. Guthrie got fired. He was such an innovator and supplied the NBA with almost half of its officials since the early 90s. I better start looking for another conference to try to make it in.

I feel your pain.