The NFL has dismissed three recently-hired officials in an offseason shakeup, according to a report.

As reported by Football Zebras, second-year umpire James Carter, third-year line judge Robin DeLorenzo and first-year down judge Robert Richeson have lost their jobs with the league – though vice president of officiating Ramon George is said to have organized a unique arrangement.

The three officials will take jobs at Power 5 conferences in college football, though the specific conferences have not been named.

It’s not unusual for referees to return to the college ranks if they have lost their job with the NFL, though it is not something that the league itself typically brokers as a sort of relegation.

Carter, DeLorenzo and Richeson reportedly have the ability to work their way back into the NFL through the league’s development program.

However, sources who spoke with Football Zebras expressed skepticism that such a path could actually come to fruition.

Line judge Robin DeLorenzo (pictured) has reportedly lost her job with the NFL

Down judge Robert Richeson (left) will also be taking a job in the college ranks, and so will umpire James Carter (not pictured)

All three officials either declined to comment to the site or didn’t respond to requests.

Regardless, it’s clear that George – who previously worked for eight years as an  NF; umpire – is making changes to NFL officiating.

After moving into the role last May, he is reportedly using ‘data as a performance guidance,’ a source told Football Zebras.

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‘The culture is is changing, it’s changing rapidly,’ an official anonymously told the site. ‘It’s changing into a compeтιтive environment where everybody’s equal. There are no favorites. There’s no favoritism. There’s none of that; it’s all about performance.’

The shakeup to the ranks of the NFL officials comes after the league announced it would start using camera-based technology from Sony’s Hawk-Eye as the primary method to make first down calls – relegating the ‘chain-gang’ to backups.

The league said in its announcement that the new technology was tested last season and will improve both the accuracy and speed of first-down calls.

Owners also voted to move touchbacks up to the 35-yard-line and allow both teams to possess the ball during regular season overtimes. 

However, a proposal to ban the ‘tush push’ was tabled at the NFL owners’ meetings and will instead by voted on next month.