The Whistleblowers podcast

It's been 10 months since our last episode, so just a brief update from John and Luke on where we've been and how long The Whistleblowers will be on hiatus. We'll have a new conversation coming to the N&O's ACC Now podcast next week.

*THE EMERGENCY WHISTLEBLOWERS* In the wake of six officials being sent home from the NCAA tournament, John and Luke reunite to discuss the impact of their departure on the tournament, officiating during the pandemic and answer a few listener questions.

John and Luke are joined by the McGee family -- Jerry, Ryan and Sam -- to talk about their new book, Sidelines and Bloodlines. And with college basketball's return imminent, we discuss the intricacies of officiating in a COVID environment. Send any questions to [email protected] and leave a review if you enjoy the podcast.

Longtime listener Ken Pomeroy joins The Whistleblowers to discuss his referee ratings at kenpom.com and John offers some advice for getting into officiating, in any sport, in the 28th episode of The Whistleblowers. As always, send questions and comments to [email protected] and leave a review if you enjoy the podcast.

After a few (unexpected) months off, The Whistleblowers returns with a special (appropriately distanced) coronavirus edition in Episode 27, including the SEC hiring Mike Eades and college officials who tested positive for COVID-19. We'll be doing more podcasts over the extended offseason, so send questions and comments to [email protected].

Listener-submitted questions dominate the first 45 minutes or so of the 26th episode of The Whistleblowers, including notes from a Federal judge, how to deal with abusive fans, what plays qualify for late-game replays and the concept of a coach's challenge. Got questions? [email protected] or @LukeDeCock, we'll get to 'em.

What's the craziest object a fan ever threw at John Clougherty? How about a switchblade. John goes back into the archives to talk about a crazy night at Memphis and we discuss Mike Brey's fine and J.D. Collins' watchful eye in the 25th episode of The Whistleblowers.

Technical fouls and ejections dominate the conversation in the 24th episode of The Whistleblowers, touching on the Kansas-Kansas State brawl, John Calipari at Arkansas, Dean Smith in the Final Four and *that* Karl Hess technical on Mark Gottfried.

After a 10-month sabbatical, John and Luke are back with a robust debate over the state of basketball and Jay Bilas' blog on officiating (and how it is supervised) being part of the problem. Meanwhile, John pines for the old days and Luke gets fired up about charges. Again.

ESPN broadcaster Mike Couzens joins John and Luke to discuss Ron Groover's Apple Watch (really) and the relationship between announcers and officials. Luke loses his mind on block/charge stuff and we discuss Fran McCaffery losing his as well, again.