Biography
Karl Richins is a former Big 12 referee, having previously worked in the Mountain West and Big Sky Conferences. Unfortunately, his on-field officiating career was cut short due to a back injury in 2009. The silver lining of his career-ending injury is this Academy.
Karl played football in college and once his senior season was over, he felt that he couldn’t simply walk away from the game. That is the reason he began a career in officiating. After his back injury in 2009, he once again, was faced with the feeling that he simply couldn’t walk away from the game. He decided he would live vicariously through others, and found joy in helping young officials. In 2012, the inaugural Stars and Stripes Academy was born, and like the metaphorical snowball, continues to grow every year, with Karl at the helm as it’s Director and founder.
Karl is a published author, having written the “Bin Book” - the definitive guide to penalty enforcement. At the conclusion of the 2012 season, Karl was hired as the Coordinator of Officials for the Big Sky Conference, taking the reins from long time Coordinator and close friend, Doug Toole. In October 2008, Karl retired from his 20 year career with the US Department of Justice as a Federal Probation Officer, in Salt Lake City.
Karl has touched the lives and influenced hundreds of officials from all over the country. He has gained dozens of close friends, at all levels of officiating from current NFL officials, to those working little league. Officiating is his passion, and love. Like all experts of their craft, excellence, is his goal: excellence in those he mentors. He considers it a privilege and honor to help mold and shape the next generation of football officials and looks forward to meeting and helping all those that choose to attend this Academy.