As the depth of Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing scheme has come into focus, many have wondered how the Wolverines’ biggest rival, Ohio State, would respond.
And while Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day dodged questions about the matter during his weekly press conference on Tuesday, he did state that he believes that college football should look into implementing radio communication via helmets, like the kind that is used in the NFL.
“It doesn’t really matter right now,” Day said, according to The Columbus Dispatch. “What matters is playing this game [vs. Wisconsin]. But we should definitely consider that because it would certainly help.”
Day is no stranger to using one-way radio communication, as he served as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Eagles (2015) and San Francisco 49ers (2016). On Monday, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule — who was the head coach of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers from 2020-2022 — advocated for a similar change.
“It was good,” Day said of his experience using the NFL’s communication methods. “The coach on the sideline had the walkie-talkie, and he would be able to communicate through the headset.”
While cost and logistics have been thought to be the reasons why college football hasn’t implemented a radio communication system, the sport has been exploring its options in recent years. On Monday, the NCAA announced that teams will have the option of using coach-to-player helmet communications to relay plays from the sideline during the 2023-24 college football bowl season — a move that was made unrelated to the Michigan scandal.
Last week, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the NCAA was investigating Michigan for an alleged sign-stealing scheme, which centers on a recruiting staffer named Connor Stalions. According to Thamel’s sources, “it was known in the building that he spent much of his time deciphering opponents’ signals, often watching television copies of opponents’ games.”
While sign stealing is not explicitly illegal in college football, the investigation is reportedly looking to determine, among other things, whether Michigan was scouting future opponents in person — something that has been outlawed by the NCAA since 1994. On Monday, Thamel reported new details that included that Stalions had allegedly purchased tickets to multiple games of Michigan’s upcoming opponents over recent years, including last weekend’s contest between Ohio State and Penn State, as a part of the scheme.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.