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A series of questionable calls by a Southeastern Conference (SEC) officiating crew led by Ken Williamson, including controversial calls during Georgia’s win over Auburn two weeks ago, have reportedly resulted in 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 October 11.
“According to sources, nine of these complaints were validated by conference officials,” the media 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 led late in the second quarter when Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold fumbled the ball on a short 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 on the close call prevented Auburn from taking a 17-0 lead. Instead, Georgia drove down the field and scored 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 ended up being a fumble and turnover to Georgia as the Auburn Tigers face the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Jake Crandall/Advertiser/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Former NFL referee and current NBC Sports rules analyst Terry McAulay spoke out after seeing reports about Williamson’s suspension. “This is insane. Ken is a very good referee and has been for a very long time,” McAulay wrote on X.
Referee Terry McAulay (77) makes a call during first quarter action between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a preseason game on August 20, 2016 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
“I commentated on the Ga/Auburn game, and no, the team didn’t have a very good game. It happens to officials, just like it happens to 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 feign injury, poor game decisions, etc.”
“Or permanently bench a QB for throwing a game-ending interception, regardless of his past performance.
“*If* this is solely based on this one game, then shame on everyone involved. This is yet another reason why conferences should not oversee officiating and will forever remain a dark stain on college football.”
Williamson has more than four decades of officiating experience and has been an SEC referee for 21 years. He was part of the officiating crew for the 2021 SEC Championship Game.
SEC officiating crews are regularly evaluated in accordance with the conference’s accountability guidelines. The impact of these assessments on future assignments and personnel decisions is private.
PK Press Club Digital has contacted the SEC for more information on Williamson’s status.
