College Football Proposes Coach-to-Player Helmet Communication, Following NFL’s Lead
College football is on the verge of a major technological advancement as the NCAA Football Rules Committee has proposed the implementation of coach-to-player helmet communication. This move comes three decades after the NFL first introduced this groundbreaking technology to the sport. If approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel in April, FBS teams will be allowed to utilize this communication tool between a coach and one player on the field.
Under the proposed rules, the player with the communication device will have a green dot on the back midline of their helmet. The communication between the coach and player will be cut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or when the ball is snapped, whichever comes first. This ensures that the communication does not interfere with the flow of the game.
The introduction of a two-minute warning for the second and fourth quarters, similar to the NFL, is another significant change proposed by the committee. This addition aims to emphasize certain rule changes for the final two minutes of the game, such as first-down clock stops. Additionally, it aims to enhance the viewing experience by preventing back-to-back media timeouts. It is important to note that this “two-minute timeout” will not be an additional timeout but rather a fixed stoppage point that aligns with the final TV timeout of each half.
These proposals have been inspired by a successful trial run during bowl games. Six games allowed helmet communication tools, while 12 games permitted sideline tablets. Coaches and officials reported zero issues with the technology during these games. In the trial run, the helmet communication remained active throughout the game, and multiple players on the field could utilize it. The proposed rules for coach-to-player helmet communication in college football mirror those already in place in the NFL.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, who also serves as a committee co-chair, acknowledged that this new communication system would not completely replace sideline signals and giant cardboard signs. No-huddle teams will still rely on these traditional methods, as only the quarterback will receive the play-call through the helmet. The NFL, in contrast, primarily operates with huddles.
Smart expressed his optimism about the proposed changes, stating, “The intent is to get a little closer to what the NFL has done to allow communication. It’ll allow communication with a quarterback and someone on defense, and we’ll find out where it takes us.”
The Big Ten previously proposed allowing its teams to use helmet communication and sideline tablets for conference games. However, the rules committee did not approve this proposal and instead opted for the bowl trial experiment. The demand for communication changes gained momentum following the Connor Stalions sign-stealing and scouting scandal. Coaches across the country called for the implementation of coach-to-player communication to eliminate the need for complex signal systems and allow them to focus more on coaching.
Steve Sarkisian, the head coach of Texas, voiced his frustration in November, saying, “Everybody write an article about why doesn’t college football have coach-to-player communication so I don’t have to deal with sign stealing and I spend half my week changing signals and signs rather than coaching the game of football.”
Smart emphasized that this discussion is not new and has been a recurring topic in the rules committee’s agenda. He stated, “I’ve been on this rules committee for three or four years, and communication has come up every single year.” The recent scandal merely added fuel to the fire.
During the trial run, teams had limited time to practice with the new technology due to the quick turnaround for bowl games. DVSport handled the tablets, while CoachComm and GSC provided the helmet communication devices. Peter Amos, the owner of CoachComm, expressed his satisfaction with the trial run, stating that his company is prepared to supply many more schools this spring if widespread use is approved.
Interestingly, teams will not require mutual agreement to use coach-to-player helmet communication during a game. Any FBS team can utilize this technology, even if their opponent chooses not to. Conferences will likely establish their own rules regarding what happens if one team’s communication system fails, similar to the protocols in place in the NFL.
In addition to coach-to-player helmet communication, the committee has also proposed giving teams the option to use tablets for in-game video viewing across all three football divisions. Teams could access up to 18 tablets, allowing them to review the broadcast feed and camera angles from both the coach’s sideline and end zone. This differs from the NFL, which only permits images on tablets. The NCAA rules committee previously approved sideline video technology in 2016 but rescinded it a month later to allow for the development of comprehensive guidelines.
With these proposed changes, college football is finally embracing technological advancements that have long been present in the NFL. The implementation of coach-to-player helmet communication and the use of tablets for in-game video viewing will undoubtedly revolutionize the sport, enhancing communication between coaches and players and providing teams with valuable insights during gameplay. As the