The Whistleblowers podcast John Clougherty & Luke DeCock

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 ldecock@newsobserver.com 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 ldecock@newsobserver.com 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 ldecock@newsobserver.com.

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? ldecock@newsobserver.com or @LukeDeCock, we'll get to 'em.