Report: SEC allows schools to send helmet communications equipment for update amid Big 12 security concerns

After the Big 12 told schools to return helmet communications equipment amid security concerns, the SEC is allowing its programs to do the same, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported. The SEC has not been alerted to any security issues.

The league sent a memo to its schools informing them they can send the equipment to the company’s headquarters for an update. It is not a requirement, though. Dellenger reported SEC schools can send the equipment in if they choose to do so.

The SEC also released a statement on the situation, confirming the league isn’t aware of any issues. However, the company – GSC – has an update out and schools can send in their technology to install it.

“We have been aware of the issue and have stayed in communication with GSC and our colleague conferences as well as our schools,” the statement read. “We are not aware of any instances of the system being compromised during games. GSC has developed an update to resolve the issue and we have made our schools aware of their ability to update their systems at a time of their choosing.”

Helmet communication was one of the many changes in college football this year. Coaches can communicate with players on the field and cut down on the amount of signs being relayed from the sideline. So far, the reviews have been mostly positive until the Big 12’s security concerns.

According to The Athletic, there are concerns teams can listen in or access opponent’s communication. As a result, the league instructed programs to return the equipment “so that technological concerns with the product can be addressed before the weekend’s games.”

Officials from the Power Four conferences received an alert following the Sept. 28 game between Arkansas and Texas A&M. That’s when “a problem with the technology was discovered,” according to The Athletic, leading to the notification.

The helmet communications have been widely praised across college football, allowing coaches to get a better sense what their players are seeing on the fly. It also gives players an added sense of comfort.

“The helmet comms have been awesome,” LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier said earlier this year. “Obviously, you still have to make sure you’re aware of the signals and things like that in case they go out in any moment. But it’s definitely an advantage, being able to have that communication with Coach [Joe] Sloan and making sure we’re in the correct play and running the right thing.

“There are also schematic advantages that y’all will see eventually with that. It’s been awesome. I think it’s a huge help and it’s been really, really good for us.”