NCAA approves sideline technology: SkyCoach replay, the market leader, is ready to serve college football programs around the country

Written By Julie Boudwin

Year after year there’s been discussions and talk about whether the NCAA would follow high schools in allowing replay technology tablets on the sidelines during games to help coaches and players make decisions on the fly. In today’s society, replay is almost a given or to be expected. Look around the country and every state allows sideline replay for high school football, except Texas and Massachusetts.

The NCAA got close to moving forward with sideline technology in 2016 but ultimately decided to hold off, but it came back around again. This time, it finally happened.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel met Thursday, April 18 and approved the proposals about optional technology rules.

Here’s the full report from the NCAA showing the approval for sideline replay in 2024.

"The use of technology has been on the committee's agenda for several years, and the time is right to introduce it in NCAA football," said A.J. Edds, co-chair of the committee and vice president of football administration at the Big Ten Conference. "FBS conferences have partnered together to ensure the consistent application and work through the details of the technical requirements for implementation."

The approval now means sideline replay will be allowed for the 2024 season and teams can have up to 18 tablets in use for the coaching booth, sideline and locker room. The video can include the broadcast feed and camera angles from the coach's sideline and coach's end zone. However, tablets cannot be connected to other devices to project larger additional images, such as a sideline TV, and cannot include analytics or data.

SkyCoach has already started talks with several NCAA conference commissioners around the country. Additionally, we have communicated with the NCAA to make sure our replay solution will be compliant with the new rules.

“It’s definitely worth every penny. I think the No. 1 reason you want SkyCoach is the price. It’s a whole lot cheaper than Hudl. No. 2 — it works through all types of weather, plus it’s simple,” said Midwestern State head coach Richard Renner.

SkyCoach has been used by high schools nationwide since 2013. Some notable high school customers include California powerhouses Mater Dei and St. John Bosco. SkyCoach has been the exclusive sideline replay provider to the CFL since 2016, and college lacrosse teams since 2017.

Since we started our partnership with the CFL eight years ago, SkyCoach has been used in every game since, including the Grey Cups. In 2018, 56,000 people attended Grey Cup 106 in Edmonton. Our wireless antennas were used for both home and visitor without issue.

The SkyCoach reliability and customer service is the absolute best on the market, and so is our price. We are affordable for every team as we understand the budget constraints faced by programs. SkyCoach offers the most affordable and flexible replay solution on the market. Quality shouldn't break the bank! When the time comes, teams should ultimately reach out to get the SkyCoach advantage to sideline replay for our affordability, unwavering customer service and simple, yet effective setup.

Learn more about how SkyCoach plays a role assisting our customers HERE.

Julie Boudwin
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