Alberto Riveron replacing Dean Blandino as head of officiating for NFL

The NFL has hired a replacement for former head of officiating Dean Blandino, and the hire came from within.

According to a memo put out by the league on Wednesday, Alberto Riveron is replacing Blandino.

NFL has hired a new head of officiating, Alberto Riveron, per memo. pic.twitter.com/KKZcsQyFN5

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 10, 2017

Riveron was an on-field official for the NFL from 2004-2012. In Feb. 2013, the league created the position of Senior Director of Officiating so Riveron would be second-in-command under Blandino.

Blandino’s departure is said to have caught the NFL off-guard, but it seems like league officials knew who his replacement would be all along. Blandino is now pursuing other opportunities where he would, in theory, make more money and have a lot less stress.