The iPad Pro: The Unsung Hero (and Sideline Superstar) of College Football
Picture this: the electric atmosphere of Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, the smell of jambalaya wafting through the air, and excited students sporting all manner of football fanfare. It’s a scene ripe for spectacle – just like a good stand-up gig! But today, as we gather round to cheer on the Geaux Tigres, it’s not just the players getting the spotlight, but the new iPad Pro with its M4 chip and nanotexture display that’s stealing the show. Who knew a tablet could be so pivotal in a glowing football saga?
So why all the fuss about an iPad on the sidelines? Aside from the fact that it’s the closest some of these young athletes will ever get to something that resembles their beloved console gaming, the NCAA has recently approved a rule allowing teams to tote up to **18 tablets** onto the sidelines. That’s right, 18! One wonders what the coaches did before – resorting to ancient methods like, oh I don’t know, *gasp* a chalkboard?
As Doug Aucoin, video-recording whiz from LSU, puts it, “Without the new iPad Pro and its nano-textured display, viewing the terrain would be virtually impossible due to the glare from the sun.” I mean, who needs sunglasses when you have the latest tech designed to diffuse every unwanted ray of that blazing southern sun? Imagine trying to analyze plays while squinting into the glare; that’s one way to lose a game!
In the world of collegiate athletics, where they’ve upgraded from a typewriter to an iPad faster than I can get through a warm-up, this evolution is impressive. Doug recalls when he joined LSU back in ’97. Pencils were still sharpened, and team strategy revolved around whispered secrets and perhaps a cheeky game of Tic-Tac-Toe on a napkin. Now, with instant video access right after a snap, coaches are akin to wizards waving a magic wand—oh wait, I mean—an Apple Pencil Pro! Fancy!
Now let’s talk about the coach’s secret weapon: Catapult, a sports analytics company that puts more data at your fingertips than even the keenest of fans can handle. With each snap, videographers are documenting every move, leading to a live-play analysis faster than a referee’s controversial call. A designated team member rolls up, marks notes, and voilà! The age of the instant replay is here, and it’s got a really cool name.
“While they’re scoring, we’re editing video clips in the background,” explains Matt Bairos, director of product at Catapult. Now that’s what I call scoring both on and off the field! Watching your team win while cleverly sidestepping the awkwardness of showing them how they *really* messed up? That’s a win-win!
Mike Saffell, a tight ends coach at UC Berkeley, chimes in, “Having an iPad on the field makes practice during the game much more effective.” This is the golden age of tech folks. Coaching tactics that once took days to figure out can now be polished up faster than your grandma polishing mahjong tiles at the senior center.
But it’s not just about the coaches getting all cozy with the iPads. Players are getting in on the action too. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza said, “Before, we could only analyze the match in detail after the match was over.” Now, they get game-strategy lifting right there on the sidelines. It’s like having a cheat sheet in school that the teacher hasn’t noticed!
Thanks to this tech revolution, players can now learn from doses of visual aids directly during the game. “Where’s the iPad?” becomes a common chant as soon as players head down for a breather. Forget hydration strategies; it’s all about finding that iPad so they can jump back into action with the elite knowledge of their last few mistakes fresh in their minds!
As Alex Mirabal puts it, “They grew up with an iPad in their hand.” What a time to be alive, huh? Players were practically born holding screen time in one hand and a game plan in the other! The iPads can synthesize all the data into clear visuals, making coaches delve into strategy while players get immediate feedback. It’s a tech interface that levels the playing field (pun totally intended) between the strategists and the field warriors.
Will this tech revolutionize college football? Oh, my dear Watson, you bet it will! The battlefield of the college game is becoming more like an interactive game show where every decision is scrutinized; only this time, the stakes come with helmeted warriors racing towards victory.
Let’s give it up for Doug Aucoin, who takes a moment to reflect on just how far technology has travelled. His father, Erby Aucoin, was blazing trails in the 60s using Polaroids to critique plays. Today? We have video at our fingertips and yes, an iPad to boot. What’s next? Drones delivering half-time snacks while analyzing player stats? I’m all for it!
In conclusion, the marriage of iPads, instant video feedback, and the good ol’ American pastime of college football has created a bold new frontier where strategies are dissected, and plays are curated at an unprecedented pace. And just like that well-timed punchline, let’s hope these bright ideas make college football not only more exciting but also a tad more intelligent!
The new iPad Pro, equipped with the groundbreaking M4 chip, not only boasts a nanotexture display that minimizes glare but also integrates seamlessly with the Apple Pencil Pro, proving to be an indispensable tool for both coaches and players on the sidelines during crucial moments of college football games.
As the vibrant atmosphere fills Baton Rouge with enthusiastic fans savoring jambalaya and a gentle breeze softly flutters a banner proclaiming “Geaux Tigres”, the anticipation mounts as more than a dozen iPad Pro devices await on the field, ready to enhance strategic gameplay for today’s highly anticipated match.
This season marks a significant shift in how college football teams utilize technology during games, thanks to a recent NCAA rule change in April permitting up to 18 active tablets per team on the sidelines and in coaches’ booths throughout matches. Notably, the ACC, SEC, and Big Ten conferences have quickly embraced this innovation, which allows both coaches and players to capture real-time footage directly from sideline cameras or end zones, ensuring they have access to critical game transmissions.
“The new iPad Pro’s nano-textured display is a game changer,” says Doug Aucoin, chair of the video recording department at Louisiana State University, highlighting its ability to alleviate glare from the sun that can obscure views of the field for coaches trying to assess gameplay. “Before this technology, analyzing the field’s landscape would have been nearly impossible.”
The substantial challenge for college football teams has always been the elements, particularly glare that hampers visibility on the sidelines. As existing NFL sidelines technology struggles against this issue, the iPad Pro’s innovative nano-textured screen emerges as a solution, preserving image integrity and contrast while diffusing ambient light, significantly reducing glare and enhancing clarity for strategic decision-making.
Nicknamed the “Godfather of SEC Video Coordinators,” Doug Aucoin, now an honored member of the College Sports Video Association Sports Film and Video Hall of Fame, reflects on the evolution of technology in college football after joining LSU in 1997. He recalls a time when a typewriter was still an office staple in the football department, a stark contrast to today’s field where he oversees a cutting-edge system that enables coaches to view videos mere seconds after plays unfold.
With contributions from Catapult, a leading sports analytics firm, each SEC team utilizes a sophisticated video system during gameplay. Independent videographers capture footage from various angles—both at the end zone and sidelines—while also accessing live feeds. A designated team staff member meticulously annotates videos, adding critical insights on player performance related to attempts, distances, offensive and defensive plays, and special phases like kicks and passes to drive in-depth analysis of recorded footage.
“While they’re scoring, we’re editing video clips in the background, syncing them, and sending video packages to iPads in the coaches’ box and on the sidelines,” explains Matt Bairos, director of product at Catapult, showcasing a fluid integration of technology in play management that enhances the strategic edge for teams.
As teams gain the ability to meticulously study video performance in real-time, players are discovering new avenues for improvement heading into their next match, allowing for immediate strategies adjustments that can adjust a game’s outcome.
During the ACC and Big Ten games, partnerships with DVSport facilitate comprehensive play recordings, employing a central replay engineer to document critical plays, with home teams capturing angles from both sidelines and end zones to support thorough post-play analysis.
“DVSport’s collaboration with Apple exemplifies how innovative hardware and software can marry seamlessly to improve performance on the field,” notes Brian Lowe, President and CEO of DVSport, praising the simplicity and elegance brought by Apple’s devices in the competitive world of college football.
“Having an iPad on the field makes practice during the game much more effective,” asserts Mike Saffell, tight ends coach at the University of California, Berkeley, emphasizing how instantaneous feedback enables both players and coaches to swiftly modify tactics and strategy amid the pressure of the live action.
Fernando Mendoza, the starting quarterback for Cal, echoes Saffell’s sentiments, noting the evolution in game analysis capabilities. “Instead of saving all our insights for post-game discussions, we now have the capability to analyze plays right on the sideline, enabling us to recalibrate our strategy during the game. This quick feedback loop is especially valuable for younger players still mastering the nuances of football,” he explains, revealing a deeper understanding of the game enabled by real-time adjustments.
Coaches like Bairos emphasize the user-friendly nature of iPads, illustrating that many can pick up and effectively utilize these devices with little to no prior training. “It’s easy to use and anyone can use it. We can hand an iPad loaded with our software to coaches, and they can navigate it seamlessly because they are well-acquainted with touch technology,” he stated, showcasing the accessibility of this advanced tool.
Billy Glasscock, the general manager for the Ole Miss team, adds that the integration of Apple Pencil Pro significantly enhances their strategic development process. “With the Catapult app serving as both a coaching board and a video review tool, we can design plays directly from game footage using the Apple Pencil Pro or our fingers, which is invaluable for effective strategy sessions,” he explained.
Players exhibited a natural proficiency with the iPads, considering many have grown up using similar devices. “They grew up with an iPad in their hand,” remarked Alex Mirabal, offensive line coach at the University of Miami, supporting the ease of integration of this technology into their training regimen.
In an electrifying match against Cal in October, the iPad proved crucial. The Hurricanes, facing a 25-point deficit, turned fortunes around to win by a single point. “On the sixth play of the game, we failed to execute a necessary sack. Post-event, I demonstrated to our defensive line precisely what went awry,” recounted Mirabal. “They replicated the same blitz later on, and our preparedness allowed us to respond effectively. The iPads have been a game-changer in how we prepare and perform.” Mirabal recognized that players frequently consult the iPads during halftime to refine their tactics.
“Where is the iPad?” becomes a frantic query as Miami wide receiver Isaiah Horton notes the urgency with which players seek out this vital tool after leaving the field. Horton underscores that the iPad not only enhances coaching efficacy but also fosters smoother player coordination. “Having visual aids at our fingertips transforms communication, allowing for better understanding among teammates,” he asserts. “It’s no longer just verbal guidance; it creates a shared visual context that bridges any gaps arising from our different perspectives on the field.”
In the grand scheme, Horton envisions the continued use of iPads during games as a progressive step forward. With equal access to information for both players and coaches, strategies become refined, while the competition remains keenly aware that any innovative tactic they deploy can be swiftly analyzed and countered by their opponents in subsequent plays. This awareness, as noted by Mirabal, heralds a new transformative era for American football.
“Embracing technology as a coach opens up new possibilities and heights for the game,” remarks Mirabal. “There is no doubt in my mind that utilizing iPads on the sidelines positively transforms the game. No coach today would contest that it enhances rather than detracts from game dynamics.”
For Doug Aucoin, the iPad’s inception on the sidelines carries sentimental weight, rooted in a familial tradition. His father, Erby Aucoin, was a trailblazer with the New Orleans Saints in 1967, becoming the NFL’s first full-time director. He was a pioneer in game evaluation, creating a system that utilized Polaroid photos sent from the coaches’ booth for on-the-fly assessments.
“From Polaroids to thermal printers, the evolution to now streaming video on iPads encapsulates incredible progress,” shares Aucoin. “I’m deeply proud of my father’s legacy, and witnessing the technological advancements that have unfolded since his era is truly remarkable.”
Collaborative environment examples
S a collaborative atmosphere among teammates as they strategize and adjust their gameplay on the fly. “It’s an essential part of our game plan now,” he states, exemplifying the importance of this technology in a fast-paced environment where every moment counts.
As college football evolves, it seems that the integration of high-tech tools like the iPad Pro is not just revolutionizing playcalling and strategy execution but fostering a deeper connection between players, coaches, and the game itself. The idea of reliance on traditional methods is swiftly fading away, with real-time analysis and immediate feedback leading the charge towards a brighter, more sophisticated future in college football.
So, while fans cheer for their teams and enjoy the electrifying moments of the game, the behind-the-scenes hustle between the iPads, coaches, and players plays out — a dance of data and strategy that is set to redefine what it means to excel on the field in this digital age. With technology at their fingertips, one can only expect college football to continue to grow more dynamic and competitive, making the future of the sport an exhilarating prospect for fans and players alike.
