Nick Saban Expresses A View On Helmet Communication: “There Were Reasons NFL Changed The Rules”

In-helmet communication devices are one possible answer to the sign-stealing issue in college football, according to longtime Alabama coach Nick Saban.

Nick Saban Expresses A View On Helmet Communication: “There Were Reasons NFL Changed The Rules”

In the NFL, the quarterback may hear the coach call the play by having a speaker installed inside his helmet. The play call is heard by one player on the defensive side of the football from the sideline. College football teams presently forbid this kind of communication.

The head coach of Alabama said in-helmet communication devices would stop scandals like the one going on at the University of Michigan during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday.

They’re already used by the NFL. Professional quarterbacks wear speakers inside their helmets so they can hear the play call from the coach on the sidelines without having to signal. However, at the collegiate level, these communication techniques are not yet allowed.

Following reports of a sign-stealing scheme, the NCAA opened an inquiry against the second-ranked Michigan Wolverines. However, Saban thinks that equipping helmets with speakers would cut down on the amount of time teams might spend analyzing the signals of their opponents.

There are no specific laws in the NCAA rule book that forbid swiping signs. However, there are restrictions prohibiting advanced opponent reconnaissance in person.

“If you look historically, you’ll know that there were reasons that they (the NFL) changed the rules so you couldn’t do that (steal signs),” Saban said.

“Then they come with the microphone in the helmet, whatever they call it, and there was no sign stealing. There was no signs because it was just communication. Which I think we would solve a lot of those problems if we would do the same thing in college football.”

In addition, Saban stated that there is “no reason” not to use in-helmet communication.

“There’s no reason not to do that. There’s no reason that you just can’t tell the quarterback what the play is rather than having signs and signals and three people signaling and all this stuff to try to get the play, which is more difficult for the players, incidentally, because they’ve all got to get the sign because everybody’s gone ‘no huddle,’” he said.

The 32 NFL clubs are controlled by billionaires, who have little trouble purchasing in-helmet communication technology. However, because not every school could afford it and not every stadium had the necessary infrastructure, college football has been unwilling to take that turn.

 

 

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