Why is Gene Steratore (a NFL official) the "officiating expert" for NCAA basketball on CBS

[spierceisu]

While watching the final four, I was curious why Gene Steratore (an ex NFL official) the "officiating expert" that CBS is using for college basketball. Does he have some expertise on basketball rules I am not aware of? Seems really odd to me.

 

[MuskieCy]

He did D-1 hoops for 20+ years.

 

[cyinne]

He is a retired NCAA college basketball referee.

Edit: sorry- got that backward- retired NFL and still active in NCAA basketball.

 

[heitclone]

He did D-1 hoops for 20+ years.

I guess you can call that qualified.

 

[JRE1975]

He has been in Hilton many times, and used to do a lot of ESPN national games.

 

[jbindm]

It's a crossover program. Joey Crawford will be the officiating expert for the AFC Championship game next year.

 

[STATE12]

https://awfulannouncing.com/ncaa/a-...-presence-as-march-madness-rules-analyst.html

 

[spierceisu]

Thanks for clarifying. I had no idea he did NCAA basketball games at one point.

 

[SCyclone]

I actually have as much respect for Steratore as an NFL referee as anyone active today. I don't recall him refereeing in NCAA games, but he's always been a calm, decisive guy in the NFL.

 

[brentblum]

Interestingly enough, the lead official in last night's game was Ron Groover. He worked probably 6-8 Iowa State games this year and was part of the crew that gave Huggins the boot in Ames.

 

[clone52]

Interestingly enough, the lead official in last night's game was Ron Groover. He worked probably 6-8 Iowa State games this year and was part of the crew that gave Huggins the boot in Ames.

Never heard of him. Must mean he is good.

 

[jcisuclones]

He mainly called Big 10 games the last couple years.

 

[AlaCyclone]

I cannot stand when the announcers call in the "Rules Expert". Besides being an automatic delay for a review, I don't need to listen to a "Rules Expert". This is ruining the game for me, and I instantly mute or scan the channel.