Bruce Williams Selected As Supervisor Of Football Officials For The CAA
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (February 21, 2019) – CAA Football Commissioner Joe D’Antonio has announced the hiring of Bruce Williams as the conference’s new Supervisor of Football Officials.
Williams has 29 years of collegiate officiating experience, including working as a side judge in the American Athletic Conference since 2013. He received numerous postseason assignments during his career, highlighted by the BCS National Championship Game in 2010, the AAC Championship Game in 2015 and 2018, and the BCS Fiesta Bowl in 2008.
“We are thrilled to be able to welcome Bruce to the CAA Family,” D’Antonio said. “Bruce has enjoyed a long and distinguished career on the field, and as he transitions into his new role, there is no doubt that our Conference’s officials, coaches and student-athletes will benefit from his wisdom and experience. Myself, and CAA Associate Commissioner for Football Brian Gordon, look forward to working closely with Bruce to provide our football officials with the education and guidance they need to be successful on the field.”
Williams will assign officials for CAA Football games in addition to working with the conference’s coaches and institutions to evaluate game performances during the season and communicate rules changes and interpretations. He will also coordinate educational opportunities for officials and coaches on the intricacies of collegiate officiating.
Williams will work under the direction of Dennis Hennigan, the Supervisor of Football Officials for the Atlantic Coast Conference and the administrator of the Atlantic Collegiate Football Officiating Alliance.
“The CAA is very appreciative of the opportunity to be able to move its football officiating program under the umbrella of the ACC,” noted D’Antonio. “On behalf of our Athletics Directors, coaches and student-athletes, I would like to thank ACC Commissioner John Swofford and ACC Supervisor of Football Officiating Dennis Hennigan for the chance to form this partnership. Our Conference is excited for the future of CAA Football, and we know that this relationship with the ACC is another step in our constant pursuit to solidify our position within the spectrum of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).”
Williams officiated in the Atlantic 10 Conference from 2000-02. He advanced to the Big East Conference from 2003-2012 and then moved to the AAC for six seasons (2013-18). Along with the numerous bowl games he’s worked, Williams was a part of the officiating crew for two Army/Navy games and the UCF/Penn State game In Dublin, Ireland in 2014.
“After working on the field for many years as an official, I'm excited about this opportunity to work as the Supervisor of Officials for the CAA.” Williams said. “In collaboration with the student-athletes, administrators, coaches and members of our officiating staff, we will strive to achieve a level of excellence on the field.”
Williams replaces Jim Maconaghy, who announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2018 season.