The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today that Gary Patterson will take the helm as its new Supervisor of Football Officials, succeeding Al Riveron who stepped down after a decade of service.
A Veteran’s Ascendancy
Patterson brings more than three decades of collegiate officiating experience, including 23 years working within the ACC and a track record that features assignments in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game and four ACC Football Championship contests.
His career spans not only the gridiron but also a 40‑year stint as a State Farm Insurance agent in Lugoff, South Carolina, where he built a reputation for reliability and community involvement.
Commissioner Jim Phillips highlighted Patterson’s deep understanding of the game and his proven ability to mentor officials, stating that his leadership will reinforce the conference’s commitment to consistency and transparency.
In his new role, Patterson will oversee recruiting, training, evaluation, scheduling, development and continued education of the league’s officials, while also maintaining the ACC’s partnership with ESPN to expand instant‑replay access for select televised games.
The appointment underscores the conference’s desire to blend on‑field expertise with administrative acumen, a combination that Phillips believes will elevate the standard of play across the ACC.
Beyond the office, Patterson remains a devoted family man, married for 37 years to Paula, with three adult children and a grandchild, and he graduated from Wofford College with a degree in business and economics.