A distinguished career
Al Riveron, a veteran football official who has overseen the Atlantic Coast Conference’s officiating operations for more than three decades, announced that he will step down before the 2026 college football season begins.
Riveron’s journey in the sport began in the early 1990s, when he officiated games in Conference USA and the Big East before moving to the National Football League in 2004. Over nine seasons he rose through the ranks to become the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Officiating, a position he held until 2023.
Beyond the NFL, Riveron spent years shaping the ACC’s officiating program. He managed a staff of roughly 250 officials and led a development initiative aimed at creating pathways for minority candidates, a effort that earned him recognition as the first official of Hispanic origin in NFL history.
A legacy of inclusion
Growing up in Miami after arriving from Cuba at age five, Riveron became fluent in both English and Spanish. His bilingual abilities and cultural perspective helped broaden the conference’s outreach and mentorship programs, inspiring a new generation of officials from diverse backgrounds.
The ACC has praised Riveron’s contributions, noting that his leadership helped modernize officiating standards and fostered a more inclusive environment across college football. His departure marks the end of an era for the conference’s officiating department.
The search for a successor
With Riveron’s retirement on the horizon, the Atlantic Coast Conference has launched a national search to identify his replacement. The organization will evaluate candidates with extensive experience at the collegiate and professional levels, seeking someone who can continue the progress made under Riveron’s stewardship.
While the conference has not disclosed specific names, longtime ACC staffer Jim Phillips is among the professionals being considered for the role, according to internal sources familiar with the hiring process.
Riveron’s impact extends beyond the field. He also worked in sales in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami area from 1991 to 2013, balancing his professional career with his passion for football. His bilingual fluency and early immigrant story have been cited as a model for aspiring officials across the country.
Looking ahead
The 2026 season will see the ACC without its long‑time supervisor of football officials, but the conference remains committed to maintaining high officiating standards. As the search progresses, the next leader will inherit a robust development program and a legacy of diversity that Riveron helped build.