Update: The NCAA has announced that the Football Rules Committee is forwarding the proposals to the Playing Rules Oversight Panel, to be rubber-stamped into the rulebook on April 18. The changes will take effect for the 2024 season.
Connor Stalions, please step forward to accept your flowers. The former Michigan staffer, his name forever etched in infamy, accidentally became a revolutionary figure in the management of college football games.
College football administrators on Friday are expected to approve coach-to-player helmet communications system, with the NCAA Rules Committee prepared to vote the change into action, according to a report from Yahoo.
The in-helmet radio will cut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or when the ball is snapped, whichever comes first.
Also expected to be approved are the approval of sideline tablets to be used on the sideline and in the half time locker room, as well as the adoption of the 2-minute warning in each half.
In-helmet communication has been an ongoing conversation over the years, kicked into high gear by Michigan's scouting scandal last season. It would eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, the need to signal in plays from the sideline. This would then eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, the practice of sign stealing.
Helmet communication and tablet technology were tried as a pilot program during non-Playoff bowl games in 2023-24, to universal acclaim.
“We’ve gotten nothing but terrific feedback,” said NCAA national coordinator of officials Steve Shaw told The Athletic earlier this month.
The 2-minute warning and accompanying TV timeout would replace, and add on to, the existing media brakes within college football games.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.