Another problem bubbles up for beleaguered Pac-12 football

Pac-12 anchors UCLA and USC announced last summer they would join the Big Ten in 2024. Now some of the conference's top referees will join them.

Football Zebras — a website that tracks NFL and NCAA officiating — reported Chris Coyte, Francisco Villar and Steve Strimling are headed to the Big Ten, where they are expected to handle USC and UCLA home games in 2024.

Coyte, a respected official, worked a College Football Playoff game last season. 

The Pac-12 confirmed several game officials had resigned without naming names. Jon Wilner of the Bay Area News Group reported the league will have new referees for at least half its eight officiating crews in 2023.

Aside from concerns about the quality of officiating, it's another blow for the Pac-12, which continues in a downward spiral. A source told Wilner that officials weren't getting substantial raises, making the opportunity enticing to leave the conference and its vice president for officiating, David Coleman.

During Coleman's regime, the conference has experienced multiple officiating scandals and in-game issues — including this doozy last season that incensed USC coach Lincoln Riley.