In-helmet communications are now a part of college football, but how much Clemson uses the new technology has yet to be determined.
The NCAA approved in April a rule allowing for in-helmet communication between the coach and a singular player on each side of the ball. Games featuring FBS teams will give each the option of using coach-to-player communications through one player’s helmet on the field, designated with a green dot on the midline of his helmet. Several teams used helmet communications during the most recent bowl season, but it will now be an option for every game in the sport’s top division.
Coach-to-player communication will be shut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or the snap of the ball — whichever comes first. The NFL and other levels of football, including some high school associations, have long used helmet communication to signal in plays.
Teams in all football divisions also will have the option of using tablets to view in-game video. Up to 18 tablets will be distributed on the sideline, locker room and coaches’ booths to study the game broadcast feed as well as camera angles from a team’s sideline and end zone. All team personnel can view the tablets but cannot connect to other devices, project larger images or provide data and analytics. Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley said the new tools will help, but he also cautioned that coaches have to be aware of not putting too much on a players’ plate.
I think it’s certainly going to be a helpful tool. There’s no question about it,” Riley said. “I think the whole key with Cade (Klubnik), with all of our quarterbacks and probably across the board in college football, is just what’s going to be too much for some of those guys. I mean, they’re not professionals. They’re not an NFL quarterback that’s sitting in a meeting room every hour of the day. And so I just think that’s where, as coaches, we have to do a good job of not really putting too much on his plate, but I think it’s certainly going to be a helpful tool.”
Klubnik said he tried out the new system in the spring.
