Beginning of Alabama-Western Kentucky delayed due to communication issues

Kalen DeBoer has been waiting to start his tenure as Alabama‘s head coach for quite a while now. A lot of questions have been thrown his way and on Saturday, actual football was on the schedule. Western Kentucky was in Tuscaloosa for the season opener but there was a slight delay following the opening kickoff.

Western Kentucky’s sideline did not have working communication headsets, causing for a lengthy stoppage in play. This also meant Alabama was not allowed to use theirs until the issue was fixed — something DeBoer was not too thrilled with when speaking to the officials.

CLICK HERE to go to PrizePicks and use code ON3 to receive a guaranteed $50 once you play $5 in lineups!

“There is an orange hat on each sideline to handle the communication devices,” ESPN’s Taylor McGregor said. “I did get confirmation, that’s exactly what’s going on. Western Kentucky’s headset is not working. So, they’re working to fix that. Alabama cannot use theirs until Western Kentucky’s is working. But there are two guys working to fix this.”

McGregor gave her report before the Western Kentucky opening drive. Alabama was able to force a punt and as ESPN was going to commercial, there was still conversation between DeBoer and his coaching staff over the problems. None of them were wearing headsets either.

Watch College Football Games Live -Try for Free Fubo! Click HERE NOW

Eventually, the game did get underway but neither sideline was allowed to communicate to start the game. An odd way to begin a season, especially in a game that’s been anticipated for quite some time.

Kalen DeBoer explains positive aspects of helmet communication

When Week 1 gets underway, quarterbacks across the country will get to hear their coaches in their helmets for the first time. Helmet communication is here, and Alabama will get its first regular-season taste of the new technology Saturday night against Western Kentucky.

That means Jalen Milroe will be able to hear directly from the sideline while on the field. It won’t be head coach Kalen DeBoer talking to him, though. By NCAA rules, the play-caller can only communicate with the quarterback – which means offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan will be in Milroe’s ear.

“We only get one mic. So that will come from your play-callers,” DeBoer said on Hey Coach and The Kalen DeBoer Show Wednesday. “That’s just the way it’s set up, the way the rules are. So your play-callers are talking to the quarterback and, for us, linebacker. That’s how that works. So I can hear what’s being said. The thing that has me frustrated at him is sometimes, you just want to shut it all off. He said, ‘Absolutely.’ It’s unique.”

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report