Illinois figuring out in-helmet communication

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois rigged up a makeshift in-helmet communication system during spring football practices.

It was a preemptive move for Illini coach Bret Bielema knowing the NCAA was likely to approve the use of coach-to-player communications ahead of the 2024 season.

That move was made official April 19 after several teams got a chance to use in-helmet communication gear during last year’s bowl season. All FBS teams now have the option of putting one player on the field at a time with those capabilities.

Illinois got seven sets of the in-helmet system ahead of training camp after initially requesting 10. The demand among the 134 FBS programs apparently affecting supply.

Who will use those communications systems was a clear decision for the Illini offense and has remained a revolving door for the Illini defense. Quarterback Luke Altmyer will have the green dot on his helmet for the Aug. 29 season opener against Eastern Illinois, but his defensive counterpart has yet to be decided.

“I’ve had the green dot on everybody this fall camp,” Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry said. “We’ve kind of moved it around. Still haven’t made that decision yet. It’s my comfort level, and more importantly, the players’ comfort level.

“Some guys handle it better than others. Some guys aren’t used to it because they haven’t had to be used to it. Over the course of the last 13-14 practices, we’ve kind of moved it around. One, to see who can handle it because everybody can’t handle that no matter where they are (position wise). Two, the guys who aren’t as good at handling it, let’s get them as many reps as possible with it just in case we decided to go that route.”

Miles Scott has had his turn with the helmet that gives Henry one-way communication to his defense. The redshirt junior safety said it’s an adjustment, but one he hasn’t had trouble making. It’s just different to have Henry in his ear throughout practice where there are no limits on communication. During games, the coach-to-player communication shuts off with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock or at the snap of the ball — whichever is first.

“He’s just in my ear all day,” Scott said with a smile. “Alerting me to certain things I might not have seen. It’s definitely a big help, though, having a coach in your ear. It can help you play 10 times faster.

“I’m more of a vocal person — especially when I’m out on the football field. I don’t have a problem raising my voice. Just being able to have those extra nuggets out there while Coach Henry is talking to me, that can help all 11 of us play faster.”

Teams can still relay plays via hand signals and signs, but it will be incumbent on the player with the in-helmet communication system to be a communicator himself. Doing that while the coach is relaying the play is an art Illinois is still perfecting.

“There is a balance to be had there,” said Illinois linebacker Dylan Rosiek, who’s also had his turn with the green dot helmet. “I think when game time comes and we have the cutoff at 15 seconds, that will be a lot better. I feel like at times, in practice, coach being the coach he is, he’s trying to put us in the best possible position. He’s yelling out and communicating. Finding that balance is what we’re doing throughout this camp.”

Illinois had its second training camp scrimmage Wednesday. Like in the team’s first scrimmage a week prior, the in-helmet systems were used at game setting. Last week, that led to a couple of instances where offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. was cut off at 15 seconds on the play clock while still relaying in information.

“We always go through and review corrections and highlights and lowlights,” Bielema said about the typical post-mortem on a scrimmage. “A key part of this is no one knows what this is like because no one in this room has ever done it. It’s really important for the players and coaches to communicate not just in the actual art of it, but (afterward), ‘Hey, what did you like? What didn’t you like?’”

Lunney said the experience using the makeshift version in the spring has helped incorporate the coach-to-player communication in camp. He said his quarterbacks like it, and he’s trying to find the sweet spot of how much to communicate to them.

“There’s some nuances, like even how you hold the play sheet because you have to hit the button,” Lunney said. “I’m used to talking directly into the mic (to other coaches in the old system) with two free hands. Something that small — you have to stop and go to one hand to click the button to communicate — that takes some training and some practice. That’s why we’re practicing it. It’s not super natural, but we’re getting closer to where it becomes a way of life for us to be able to do that.”

Henry has had to contend with fewer small details like that.

“Listen, Barry has an encyclopedia for a call sheet,” the Illini defensive coordinator quipped. “That’s probably why. I’m pretty simple, man. It’s been great for me. It’s been really, really good. It’s allowed me to give information and tips to my guys before a play. You’ve never had that at this level. I really enjoy it. It’s awesome.”