Mike Elko shares his view on helmet communication in college football

Earlier this month, the NCAA proposed coach-to-player helmet communication used within the athlete’s helmet similar to what is used in the NFL.

Many FBS teams have been given these in-helmet communication devices to test out during the spring, including Texas A&M. New head coach Mike Elko addressed whether the Aggies are utilizing the device, and his initial thoughts on it.

To Elko, this new form of in-game communication might not be the cheat code some are making it seem.

“I don’t think it’s going to impact things the way everyone’s talking about them,” Elko explained on Wednesday. “I think this idea that helmet communication is going to limit signal in, which is going to limit signal stealing is completely off. I think in the college game, everyone no huddles. So the ability to talk to one guy isn’t going to eliminate your ability to have to signal in offense and defensive plays. So I don’t think it’s going to impact the game the way a lot of people are reporting on it. And then we’re using it. Yeah, we’re using it right now. We’ve used it every practice. So the quarterbacks have it in their helmet.

“We’re limited with the amount of ear pieces we have per program in the SEC this spring because there’s a manufacturer’s limit on how many we could get for some reason. Each program only has three, but we’re using those three every day.” 

The way that the NCAA will utilize this new tool would have a green dot placed on the user’s helmet, most likely the quarterback on offense and a standout defender, to identify the player which the coach is relaying information to. Communication would be cut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock and/or when the ball is snapped. Whichever comes first. Only one player on each side of the field can wear one at any given time.

Regarding sign stealing – Elko agrees with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, who said that it’s going to take 11 headsets on offense, one for each offensive player, for teams to stop signaling plays to their offensive unit. The goal isn’t to stop sign-stealing, but rather evolve the game closer to the NFL model.

The first time fans will see their teams utilize these in-helmet communication devices will be during their spring games. For Texas A&M, its annual Maroon & White spring game is set for Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. at Kyle Field and is expected to feature this style of in-game communication.