Alabama Football Coach Kalen DeBoer Embraces Revolutionary Changes on and off the Field
Imagine a whirlwind of changes descending upon the newly appointed Alabama football coach, Kalen DeBoer. From new city to new conference, new program to new playoff format, the list of novelties seems never-ending. And just when you thought, "What else could possibly be piled on?" along comes a slew of new NCAA Football Rules Committee proposals for the upcoming season.
Among these changes is the introduction of coach-to-player helmet communications, set to revolutionize how plays are signaled for both offense and defense. This rule, alongside others like the two-minute warning and tablet use during games, aims to bring college football more in line with the NFL. For DeBoer, this meant diving headfirst into implementing the new technology during Alabama's spring practice, with quarterbacks already experimenting with the communication device.
The communication tool will not only facilitate conversations between coaches and quarterbacks but also extend to defensive players with a designated green dot on their helmet. However, the communication will cease with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock or at the snap of the ball, whichever comes first. Currently facing a shortage of these communicators, Alabama is working to ensure all players, including the quarterbacks and middle linebackers, are well-versed in this latest game modification.
As DeBoer navigates through the sea of changes, including securing more hardware for the new communication devices, he remains focused on the task at hand. With 15 spring practices and three scrimmages on the horizon, both the coaching staff and players will have ample time to acclimate to this cutting-edge addition to college football.
Amidst the chaos of adapting to these new rules and technologies, one thing is clear – in the world of college football, the only constant is change.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread.
