​Al Riveron has stepped down from his post as the ACC’s supervisor of football officials, the conference announced on Wednesday, creating a notable vacancy just under two months before the start of the season. At 66 years old, Riveron has spent more than three decades in officiating and administrative roles, with the past three and a half years dedicated to the ACC. In the previous season, the league and ESPN introduced an unprecedented level of replay transparency, enabling the network to broadcast replay deliberations in real time during select games. The move was met with strong praise and sparked interest from others to adopt the ACC’s approach. For the upcoming season, conference leaders intend to expand this model further and are conducting a nationwide search for Riveron’s successor.
“Al has had a remarkable impact on ACC football through his leadership and unwavering commitment to officiating excellence,” Commissioner Jim Phillips said in the league’s release. “His transparency and collaborative approach have elevated our program, and we are incredibly grateful for all he has done for the ACC and college football.” David Teel, who has covered the ACC and ESPN’s efforts to bring more officiating transparency to select football games, noted the development.
Riveron, who broke new ground in 2004 as the NFL’s first Hispanic official, previously officiated college games in the Big East and Conference USA from 1990 to 2004. After retiring from on-field duties, he served as the NFL’s senior vice president of officiating from 2017 to 2020.
“It has been an honor to serve as the ACC’s supervisor of football officials, and I am appreciative of the support from Commissioner Phillips and the entire league,” Riveron said in the release. “Officiating is built on integrity, preparation, and teamwork, and I have been fortunate to work alongside some of the most dedicated professionals in the game.”