Mike Gundy compares college helmet communication to the NFL

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Everything Mike Gundy said at Big 12 Media Days | Oklahoma State | Andy Staples On3

In April, the NCAA’s football oversight committee approved the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season. During an appearance at Big 12 Media Days, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy revealed how the his team has adapted to the change.

“We felt comfortable with our system on offense and we’ve adjusted a few things,” Gundy said. “The earpiece for the quarterback now and the communication with the coach, up until 15 seconds to go, I think there’s some advantages there. More so in the college game than the pro game. Because as you know, in the pros, they don’t huddle up — they do huddle up. We don’t huddle up.

“So, we can have a play called with 32 seconds left and we don’t have to cut off the mic until 15 seconds. … The point being is, it’s really gonna be interesting because in the NFL, they do it and by the time they get up to the lines, it’s pretty much gone. It’s not gonna be that way in college. That’ll be the biggest adjustment to that, that we have worked on because we like our system.”

The coach-to-helmet communications will only bolster the already strong relationship between Gundy and OSU starting quarterback Alan Bowman. The seventh-year QB played and started in every game for the Cowboys last season besides the season-opener.

He amassed 304 completions, 3,460 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. Only one player for each team will be permitted to be in communication with coaches while on the field. A green dot on the back of the helmet will be used to identify that player. Bowman will naturally be that player on offense.

The system will give Mike Gundy an even stronger connection with thr offense on the field. The 56-year-old head coach plans on putting that connection to the test.

“I want to play a little more four-down. We were majority three-down last year,” Gundy said. “We played some four down. I want to be able to play both. If we’re not good at it, we’re not going to do it. But I would like to be versatile on first and second down, not just be a three-down team. We’ll see how far we get with that in August.”

Oklahoma State will kick off its 2024 campaign on Aug. 31 in a showdown against North Dakota State at Boone Pickens Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the Big 12 Network.