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A series of questionable calls by a Southeastern Conference (SEC) officiating crew led by Ken Williamson, including some controversial ones in Georgia’s win over Auburn two weeks ago, reportedly led to serious disciplinary action.
Yellowhammer News reported, citing sources, that Williamson has been “permanently suspended from officiating conference games.” At least 11 complaints were filed against Williamson and his team after the Auburn-Georgia game on Oct. 11.
“According to sources, nine of those complaints were validated by conference officials,” the outlet reported.
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Referee Ken Williamson during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 22, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Auburn was leading late in the second quarter when Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold fumbled during a short-yardage play near the goal line. After a video review, officials ruled that Georgia recovered the ball before Arnold could score a touchdown.
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The controversial decision prevented Auburn from taking a 17-0 lead. Instead, Georgia drove down the field and kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to seven points. The Bulldogs ultimately won 20-10.
Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) attempts a goal-line push that ultimately resulted in a fumble and turnover for Georgia as the Auburn Tigers take on the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Jake Crandall/Advertiser/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Former NFL referee and current NBC Sports rules analyst Terry McAulay weighed in after learning of reports of Williamson’s suspension. “This is crazy. Ken is a very good referee and has been for a long time,” McAulay wrote in X.
Referee Terry McAulay (77) makes a call during the first quarter play between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game on August 20, 2016 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
“I have commented on the Ga/Auburn game and no, the team did not play a very good game. It happens to the referees, as it happens to the coaches and players,” he continued. “I look forward to the day when an AD suspends his coach for, in a single game, poor clock management, allowing players to fake injuries, bad plays, etc.”
“Or we’re going to permanently bench a QB for throwing a game-ending interception, regardless of his past performance.
“*If* this is based solely on that game, then it’s a shame for everyone involved. It’s yet another reason why the Conferences should not oversee officiating and will always be a dark stain on college football.”
Williamson has more than four decades of refereeing experience and has been an SEC referee for the past 21 years. He was part of the officiating crew for the SEC Championship Game in 2021.
SEC officiating teams are routinely evaluated in accordance with the conference’s accountability guidelines. The impact those evaluations have on future assignments and personnel decisions is private.
Pak Gazette Digital has reached out to the SEC for more information on Williamson’s status.
