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NFL to use former assistants — not head coaches — as officiating advisors in 2016

NEW YORK CITY — In recent years, the NFL has tapped ex-head coaches to serve as in-season advisors for the league's officiating department.

Not this season.

The league will be using three former assistants — Kevin Spencer, Kevin O'Dea and Chuck Bresnahan — in that capacity for the 2016 campaign.

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NFL officiating czar Dean Blandino told Sporting News that the part-time roles for all three will be similar to those held last season by Mike Smith and Jim Schwartz, both of whom have returned to coaching as defensive coordinators after spending 2015 off the sidelines.