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Nick Saban comments on sign-sealing saga, addresses positives of ‘helmet communicator’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Nick Saban was one of many coaches who dialed into Wednesday’s weekly SEC teleconference to speak on the alleged sign-stealing controversy surrounding Michigan football.
A now-suspended Michigan staffer, Connor Stalions, is accused of recording sidelines of potential Michigan opponents from across the past 3 seasons, including possibly the 2021 SEC championship game between the Tide and Georgia.
Saban admits he doesn’t know much about the details of what is going on with the Wolverines, mentioning that he is focused on his own team. However, he did mention that he believes a “helmet communicator” would be an excellent idea in the college game.
Here’s his full comment on the matter:
“First of all, I didn’t know anything about anybody coming to the SEC Championship Game, or whatever,” Saban said. “I don’t have a lot of information or background on all this sign-stealing stuff, I’m kind of focused on our team. But I know back in the old days when I was in the NFL, there was a time when you could send out scouts and scout a game, personnel, that type of thing, I don’t think it was geared toward sign stealing. But that was allowed, they changed that rule, I think sometime back. We never had that in college for a long, long time, I think you’re probably aware of that.”
Saban continued…
“I do think the helmet communicator is probably a real positive thing for the game. You can’t steal signs or do any of this stuff if you have a helmet communicator and I think it would be a good thing. It’s worked out well in the NFL and I also think it’s good to have one guy on defense that you could tell that guy what the call is and not have to go through all the signaling process.”
An in-helmet communicator would make alleged infractions like this vanish, as there would be no need for sideline signals.
Plenty of coaches agree with Saban’s sentiment. Time will tell if this collective agreement gets anywhere.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.