Josh Heupel reacts to Michigan sign-stealing scandal, how such efforts could impact Tennessee

When the College Football Playoff rankings debuted last season, Tennessee was the No. 1 team in the country. A win against Alabama put Josh Heupel in the position and taking down Georgia likely would have propelled them into the CFP. Thus, Michigan reportedly began their preparation for the postseason as well, with Wolverines low-level staffer Connor Stalions allegedly buying tickets to a Tennessee game for some in-person scouting.

Heupel was asked for his reaction to the Michigan sign-stealing scandal and what he thought about Michigan wanting to allegedly film their sideline. He admitted Tennessee does attempt to change their signals up every once in a while, not wanting to give other teams — legal or not — the opportunity to use them.

“Really just heard of that a little while ago that that had happened,” Heupel said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “It’s obviously something for us offensively, defensively, and special teams that I think every team in the country —  you try to hide your signals and constantly change them up and make sure nobody is getting a beat on you. For us, it’s obviously important because it’s the form of communication that we have with our guys.”

If opposing teams are able to pick up on signals, Heuepl believes coaches just have to make adjustments. Potentially echoing Deion Sanders‘ thoughts on the matter, saying you still have to go out there and execute.

“It has the ability for a play caller to change what they’re calling,” Heupel said. “It’s not that you’re going to go execute that call perfectly. It gives you an advantage as far what structure you might be playing in in any phase of the football game.”

Generally, the quick fix to sign-stealing across the country would be technology implemented into college football. Placing a radio inside the helmet of the quarterback or defensive player would completely eliminate the use of signals from the sideline.

“I think that’s something that everybody in the country has looked at,” Heupel said. “For whatever reason, it hasn’t passed. Certainly something, moving forward, potentially has the chance of being a part of college football.”

Tennessee will have the opportunity to use technology in their bowl game, with a test run being performed during the offseason. From there, a decision will be made about its future in college football. Heupel seems to be in favor of having his quarterbacks hear plays called through a radio, preventing any kind of sign-stealing.