November 1, 2024
UPDATE
Advancing the Game: iPad Partners with College Football
Equipped with a new nano-texture display glass and support for Apple Pencil Pro, the iPad Pro featuring M4 chip is transforming sidelines, enhancing coaching and player capabilities.
On game day in Baton Rouge, passionate tailgaters enjoy delicious jambalaya, a “Geaux Tigers” banner flutters in the warm Louisiana breeze, and excited college students fill the stands, all while a dozen iPad Pros stand ready on the field.
While the traditional festivities are a hallmark of Tiger Stadium, the presence of iPads on the sidelines is a fresh development: In April of this year, the NCAA permitted college football teams to utilize up to 18 active tablets on the sidelines, in coaching booths, and locker rooms during games. Three conferences—the ACC, SEC, and Big Ten—have opted for iPad for their game-day operations, leveraging in-game video captured from the sidelines and end zones, as well as broadcast feeds.
Doug Aucoin, the director of video at Louisiana State University, shares his enthusiasm: “The new iPad Pro with nano-texture display technology is incredible. Without it, viewing footage on the field would be nearly impossible due to sunlight glare.”
Addressing glare was a primary challenge for college football staff, necessitating technology even more specialized than what the NFL employs for sideline reviews. Unlike the NFL, which only allows access to still images, the iPad Pro’s nano-texture glass preserves image clarity and contrast while diffusing ambient light, making it ideal for outdoor video viewing.
Aucoin, noted as “the godfather of SEC video coordinators” and a 2022 inductee into the College Sports Video Association’s Hall of Fame, has witnessed firsthand the technological advancements in college football since he began in 1997, when typewriters were still in use. Now, he manages an advanced game-day system that leverages iPad and specialized software to quickly deliver video to coaches.
Catapult, a sports performance analytics provider, supplies software for SEC teams. Their process involves independent videographers capturing sideline and end zone footage alongside broadcast feeds, while team staff log game events—tagging plays with details such as down, distance, and player roles—for analysis.
“As they log, we’re cutting video clips, synchronizing them, and delivering video packages to iPads in the coaches’ box and on the sidelines,” explains Matt Bairos, Catapult’s chief product officer.
This system provides players with immediate video feedback to adjust their performance in real-time.
The ACC and Big Ten utilize DVSport for their in-game video needs. In those conferences, a central replay technician logs the games, while the home team captures sideline and end zone views.
“DVSport’s partnership with Apple exemplifies how innovative software and hardware can create game-changing solutions,” says CEO Brian Lowe. “Core values like equity, speed, and visibility are fundamental, and Apple’s latest iPad Pro and iPad Air excel in delivering a streamlined user experience.”
“Using iPad on the sidelines significantly enhances in-game coaching,” asserts Mike Saffell, tight ends coach at the University of California, Berkeley. “It allows for live feedback, enabling quick corrections, which elevates competition as both teams can address issues on game day.”
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza shares his agreement: “Previously, many aspects could only be analyzed after the game. With coaching available on the sidelines, I can make adjustments in real-time, fostering rapid development for younger players.”
Coaches like Bairos highlight the ease of adopting the technology: “It’s user-friendly with a familiar interface—there’s no learning curve. We can immediately equip coaches with iPads and they will adapt seamlessly due to their familiarity with the device.”
Additionally, Billy Glasscock, Ole Miss’s general manager, notes the advantages of Apple Pencil Pro: “When creating plays based on real-time situations, the Catapult app features a whiteboard function for drawing directly using the Apple Pencil Pro or our fingers, even layering drawings over video clips.”
Players are also quickly adapting to the devices, as Alex Mirabal, offensive line coach at the University of Miami explains: “They have grown up with iPads in hand.”
During a thrilling October game where Miami rallied from a 25-point deficit to win, Mirabal found iPad functionality invaluable: “After the first series, I was able to show our offensive line what went wrong and how to adjust. Later, when a similar situation arose, we successfully addressed it, showcasing how helpful this tool is.” Players frequently turn to the iPad for self-review, especially during halftime.
“Where’s the iPad? That’s the first thing we do when we come off the field,” says Miami wide receiver Isaiah Horton. He emphasizes that using iPads enhances player communication: “It provides visual aids rather than relying solely on verbal descriptions, ensuring everyone is aligned despite different perspectives on the field.”
Looking forward, Horton believes that the integration of iPads will enhance the game by ensuring alignment between players and coaches. Mendoza anticipates a more strategic approach to games, and Glasscock expects added complexity, allowing for broader play strategies as teams understand they might only get one opportunity before opponents adapt. Mirabal foresees an overall elevation in game performance.
“We, as coaches, must embrace technology in the game,” stresses Mirabal. “The utilization of iPads on the sidelines has positively transformed the experience. No coach in America would argue against its benefits.”
For Aucoin, witnessing the impact of iPads recalls a family legacy: His father, Erby Aucoin, became the first full-time film director in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints in 1967, pioneering in-game review techniques by sending Polaroid images from the coaching booth to the field for assessment.
“We’ve evolved from Polaroids to thermal printers and now, to iPads with full video capabilities in live games,” reflects Aucoin. “My father initiated this evolution, and it’s a proud moment to see how far we’ve come.”
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