In the episode New Ref in Town, Hank secretly takes what sports role?

In “New Ref in Town,” Hank secretly takes a job as a soccer referee.

The episode is season 14’s fifth installment and follows Hank as he adjusts to retirement and to the changes in Arlen. He goes to watch a soccer match with Boomhauer, whose girlfriend’s son is playing. After the crowd turns against Boomhauer, Hank fills in as the referee, taking on a role he keeps secret.

The plot plays with Hank’s earlier discomfort around soccer. In the original series, he often treats the sport as unfamiliar and un-American from his traditional Texas perspective. The revival gives that attitude a twist: Hank’s time living in Saudi Arabia has helped him develop an appreciation for soccer, making his secret refereeing job a sign that he has changed.

The title is a sports pun, but Hank is not a basketball scorer, baseball umpire, or football coach in this episode. Those choices fit other sports roles; the episode’s official synopsis specifically identifies Hank as a soccer referee.