Former NBA Refs
 

I noticed that there are two former NBA referees - Joe DeRosa and Sean Corbin - who left the NBA and now work college D1. I believe they did the switch last year and have both been given assignments in last year's and this year's NCAA tourney.

Do we know if they left the NBA voluntarily or were they forced out?

I'm not trying to spread rumors or be gossipy about this, but I'm genuinely curious. I know a lot of officials aspire to get to the NBA level (and the competition is very tough) so voluntarily leaving the league is a bit unusual to me. Plus the fact that DeRosa has worked a number of NBA finals already.

Not everyone wants the other issues that come with working the NBA. College refs set their own schedules.

I think both of these guys were offered retirement packages from the NBA, took them, and now work when they want at the NCAA level.

DeRosa was involved in the tossing the ball to a fan incident wasnt he?

Yes he was...he was suspended for one game for the incident.

And there was an article in Referee Magazine which had an interview with DeRosa and his retirement from the NBA. One of his stated reasons is he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Correct. Joe decided to retire after considering it for a couple of years.

Joe only officiated 5 years of HS and college ball before joining the NBA circa 1990.

Not sure about Sean but I see him working ACC games quite often. He dos a solid job. You don't hear or read about him being associated with screwups.

From what I hear the biggest headaches for NBA refs are all the requirements AFTER the game is over. An incredible amount of scrutiny, accountability and "paperwork".

The travel aspects in the NBA are actually a lot better than they are for a 70-100 game NCAA ref. In the NBA they are limited in the amount of games they can work per week and they have a mandated 2-week vacation during the season (maybe not this year though).

Agreed very much. Sean was always very consistent, and never in controversy.

He worked on the FIBA panel, but I don't see his name listed there anymore.

I realize you're simply making a comparison between college ball and the NBA, but your comment struck me as humorous: they call it a FULL TIME JOB for a reason.

Yes, but it is not unlike other full time jobs, the fun is not there. After all we usually get involved in this for fun. And it is not so much the lack of fun, but all the types of scrutiny they have to go through as well. And it is certainly not just an "income" issue if you are at their stage. They are going to get a great pension from the NBA as well as a great salary from their college games.

Peace