Mike Pereira angry about SEC refs apparently taking input from someone not on field

Former NFL Vice President of Officiating and current Fox Sports analyst wrote a scathing piece Sunday accusing SEC officials of misusing their communications system in two games this season: Saturday’s Alabama-Tennessee game and Mississippi State’s win over Auburn two weeks ago.

Pereira alleges officiating crews received information from a mystery figure while discussing penalty calls in the two games. In the first game, the call in question was an intentional grounding penalty called against Dak Prescott. Pereira says officials were seen listening to instructions before making the correct call and waving off the penalty. Saturday, the call in question concerned a personal foul penalty called on a Tennessee first quarter punt.

Officials are not allowed to use help from off the field on non-reviewable plays.

After the original incident, Pereira reached out to the NCAA.

Two weeks ago, I asked the national coordinator of officials, Rogers Redding, who also happens to be the former coordinator of officials for the SEC, about this and he vehemently denied this process was taking place. He said the communications system was only for use of the officials on the field and no other person was on that system.

Update, 10/27: The SEC has responded in a statement.