It was revealed earlier this week that Michigan had staff members involved in the sign-stealing saga at multiple games across the country last season, and one of those teams was Tennessee.
Michigan had a staff member in Tennessee’s 2022 game against Kentucky, scouting the Vols as they appeared to be a playoff team and potential opponent for the Wolverines. The Vols’ playoff hopes were ultimately cut short by a fluke loss to South Carolina later that season.
During the SEC coaches’ conference call on Wednesday, Josh Heupel gave his thoughts on the Michigan controversy.
“I just found out this happened a short time ago,” Heupel said. “It’s obviously something for us, the offense, the defense, the special teams that I think every team in the country is certainly, you’re trying to hide your signals and constantly change them and make sure that no one gets you bat and for us it’s obviously important because it’s the form of communication that we have on the field.
In light of the controversy, the topic of in-helmet communication came up. The NCAA currently prohibits having radios in players’ helmets during games, while the NFL does not. Several coaches spoke out on the subject and Heupel gave his opinion on the subject.
“As far as putting a mic in the helmet of your linebacker Mike or your quarterback, I think that’s something that everyone across the country has considered,” Heupel said. “And for whatever reason it didn’t pass, but certainly something moving forward potentially has a chance to be part of college football, certainly at this level.”
While there was no motion authorizing the change, it appears this will be a topic of conversation for the NCAA moving forward and there could be potential for change in the years to come.
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Tennessee Sports Betting have been live in the Volunteer State since November 1, 2020. Tennessee was the first state in the SEC to legalize sports betting.
