ACC OKs use of sideline tablets, new helmet tech
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Andrea Adelson, ESPN Elder WriterFeb 14, 2024, 04:53 PM ET
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- ACC press reporter.
- Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
- Graduate of the University of Florida.The ACC authorized making use of helmet innovation and sideline tablets during its winter season conferences today, pending last approval later on this month from the NCAA football guidelines committee.In a declaration following the conclusion of the conferences Wednesday, the ACC stated using tablets with access to in-game video had unanimous support from ACC football coaches. In addition, the helmet innovation will permit one-way interaction in between the sideline and designated players on the field.This past bowl season, the NCAA allowed the use of both on a speculative basis at choose championship game.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown told ESPN earlier this week it was a” no-brainer”to approve both. The Tar Heels utilized the helmet technology in the Duke’s Mayo Championship game versus West Virginia, and Brown said 4 quarterbacks, two securities and 2 linebackers were wired for communication.”We liked it, “Brown stated.”It permitted us to line up much quicker, it keeps individuals from stealing signals.
We believed it was a win-win.”The NFL has had using both helmet and tablet innovation, and though it has actually had support for many years in the college
game, there has been some resistance since of the expense that would be sustained– particularly among schools outside the Power 5. Some price quotes have put the price tag at around$40,000. But following an examination into sign-stealing accusations surrounding Michigan this previous football season, the push to use the innovation increased
, particularly helmet communication. The ACC is working collaboratively with the football guidelines committee to completely develop the final guideline and policies. Each school’s legal group must likewise accept the helmet technology, over possible concerns it might void the helmet’s warranty.In addition, the ACC revealed its males’s and ladies’s basketball competitions would include the leading 15 groups starting with the 2024-25 season as the league expands to 18 teams
with the additions of Cal, Stanford and SMU. The men’s regular-season conference schedule will remain at 20 games; the ladies’s will stay at 18 games.