Tennessee Vols HC Josh Heupel sheds light on subject he was previously coy about
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel shed some light on Tuesday on a subject that he's previously been coy about. In 2024, college football teams will be allowed to outfit up to three players on game day with in-helmet communication devices which will allow coaches to communicate to players on the field. Heupel has been […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel shed some light on Tuesday on a subject that he's previously been coy about.
In 2024, college football teams will be allowed to outfit up to three players on game day with in-helmet communication devices which will allow coaches to communicate to players on the field.
Heupel has been asked multiple times this offseason how he plans to utilize the new in-helmet communication and he's consistently offered vague responses (unlike Ole Miss head coach head coach Lane Kiffin who called the new system a "cheat code").
"It’s still a work in progress as we continue into training camp," said Heupel in April. "I think everybody inside of our league was limited to three of those devices that would work and operate on a day to day basis — including the scrimmages. And so we put two of them on the offensive side early in spring ball [and] transitioned into the defense. Both sides got to tinker and play with how it’s going to function and operate. Our communication system will continue to evolve as we have a better idea with that."
On Tuesday, at SEC Media Days in Dallas, Heupel was again asked about the new in-helmet communication devices. And this time around he was a little more open about how he plans to use it.
"In particular, in unique situations, you're able to give them (players) reminders that you would during a practice situation," explained Heupel during an appearance on SEC Network. "So I think that's really important. And then some of the unique intricacies within your game plan, you're able to take some of the memorization of some things off of his (the quarterback) plate. Maybe give him the freedom to play with a little less on his plate. At the same time, every quarterback that's played with that in their ear will give you the 'that's enough, I got it'."
I don't know if the in-helmet devices will necessarily be a "game changer" for the Vols' offense (or defense) this fall, but it certainly sounds like Heupel has a plan for the new system that will help Tennessee operate more efficiently in 2024.
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