The Alabama vs. Vanderbilt matchup is shaping up to be an electrifying SEC showdown at the Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. No. 10, Alabama is cruising with a 3-1 record, trying to procure vengeance against Vanderbilt for last year’s upset. The Commodores are still perfect at 5-0, powered by the nation’s No. 4 scoring offense and dynamic QB Diego Pavia. The game kicks off at 3:30 pm local time, and the referee for this high-stakes clash is Daniel Gautreaux. Just recently, Gautreaux showed his refereeing skills in the Auburn vs Texas A&M matchup.

And guess what? Gautreaux, arguably, stole the spotlight. Though not exactly in a way Texas A&M fans might want to remember. Gautreaux’s whistle was blowing non-stop, turning the game into what some would call a penalty fest. The Aggies, in particular, seemed to get hit hard by the flags. They lost about 99 yards in penalties, while Auburn only managed to gain 154 yards total. It was that kind of game where nearly every borderline call felt like a dealbreaker. And then a late-game ineligible man downfield penalty wiped out an Aggie touchdown.

Gautreaux’s calls made it a really frustrating environment for Aggies fans, but it also kept things fair and honest.

Daniel Gautreaux’s early life & background

Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, Daniel was surrounded by the game from an early age. His father, Greg Gautreaux, has made a name for himself as an NFL official for 18 years. And because of the environment, Daniel caught the officiating bug early. He saw it as a way to stay close to the game he loved. He spent years refining his craft, starting at local levels and gradually moving up the ranks. And after 15 years working at the college level, Daniel’s dedication paid off.

He spent most of his career in Conference USA, earning a reputation for fairness and a sharp eye. And that helped him transition into the Southeastern Conference (SEC) last season. And trust me, it’s a pretty big deal in the world of officiating. The job requires quick thinking, unwavering focus, and thick skin, and Daniel pretty much sums up all the qualities. And it’s not just football for Daniel. In basketball, he’s involved with both the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and the Southern States Athletic Conference.

Family & personal life: Parents, wife & children

Daniel’s connection with Louisiana runs really deep. And that backs up his decision to graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Some fans have even accused him of bias, but the reality is that Daniel’s roles are professional. Information about his wife and children is not really available in the public forum; however, his knack for officiating comes from his father, Greg Gautreax. Daniel’s mother’s name is Betsy, who met his father in 1977.

Greg completed 12 years in CFB and 20 more in the NFL. After he was 50, he retired from officiating pro football.

SEC career & college football experience

As of now, Daniel has seen a 15-year-long career with this sport. He started all of it from the high school level. Daniel, like many young officials from Lafayette Parish, jumped into a challenging officiating scene, battling a shortage of referees. “Probably for the past five or so years, we have had a shortage in the number of officials we have had, causing us to move games from Friday night to Thursday night,” said Daniel Gautreaux with the Lafayette High School Officials Association.

From those high school beginnings, Daniel’s rise has been steady and impressive. He spent over a decade officiating in Conference USA before stepping up to the big leagues of college football by joining the Southeastern Conference (SEC) last season. Last season, he officiated the LSU vs Arkansas game, where the Tigers snagged a 34-10 win against Arkansas.

Career earnings & financial prospects

Daniel Gautreaux’s exact salary is not really visible in the public forum. However, the present average salaries of a referee can shed some light. In the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), where the SEC sits, referees typically earn between $2,000 and $3,000 per game. Considering a regular season might see around 12 games for a referee, that puts annual earnings between $24,000 and $36,000 just for game day pay. But for SEC referees like Gautreaux, the pay can be even better.

According to some sources, the median salary for NCAA football referees hovers around $57,000 annually, which likely includes additional compensation from postseason games, bowl assignments, and possibly bonuses. But let me tell you, officiating isn’t really a full-time gig for a person. Referees like Daniel have other jobs or careers outside the sport. So the outside jobs also get reflected in Daniel Gautreaux’s financial report.