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3w ago

SEC Suspends Veteran Referee Ken Williamson for Rest of Season After Auburn–Georgia Controversy

Sources say the decision followed an SEC review validating nine of 11 complaints from the game.

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Dec 21, 2013; Albuquerque, NM, USA; NCAA referee Ken Williamson during the game between the Colorado State Rams against the Washington State Cougars during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - NOVEMBER 19: Head Coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels talks with Referee Ken Williamson before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 42-27. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • ESPN reports Williamson is sidelined for the remainder of 2025, the SEC declined to comment, and sources say he had planned to retire after the season.
  • The rest of his assigned crew will not work another SEC game this year, according to CBS Sports.
  • Key disputed sequences included a goal-line ruling that upheld an Auburn fumble on replay and a later clock reset after Kirby Smart’s apparent timeout signal.
  • Auburn athletic director John Cohen and coach Hugh Freeze confronted Williamson at halftime and later pressed concerns with commissioner Greg Sankey and officiating chief John McDaid.
  • Reactions split, with NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay calling the punishment excessive and dangerous precedent, while ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit labeled the in-season suspension a notable eye-opener.