The roar of college football has long been amplified by fan traditions, the rush of live action, and strategic in-game adjustments by coaches and players alike. But in the 2023 season, something new has made its mark on the sidelines: the iPad Pro. From the humid sidelines of LSU’s Tiger Stadium to the crisp autumn air in Big Ten arenas, the Apple iPad Pro is revolutionizing college football. Thanks to a recent NCAA rule change, coaches and players can now use up to 18 tablets on the sidelines, in the coaching booth, and in locker rooms during games.
With an impressive lineup of features like the nano-texture display and support for the Apple Pencil Pro, the iPad Pro with the M4 chip is poised to redefine how college football teams prepare, strategize, and communicate. This integration brings a cutting-edge tool that’s quick to deliver in-game video insights, allowing players to make game-altering adjustments almost instantly. Coaches, players, and tech leaders across the sport have eagerly embraced the iPad Pro, acknowledging that it not only brings seamless functionality to the field but also has a unique ability to capture the attention of football’s youngest generation of athletes.
The Sideline Revolution Introducing iPad Pro to College Football
The tradition of intense game-day preparation is especially vivid in the south, where fans at LSU chant “Geaux Tigers,” and tailgaters cook up jambalaya to the sound of a crowd gathering. But the iPad on the sidelines is a brand-new addition. NCAA's April decision to permit tablet use in college football has opened the door for technology to play an even more prominent role. Three powerhouse conferences—the SEC, ACC, and Big Ten—have taken up this opportunity and adopted iPads for their game-day needs, particularly for video analysis and in-game adjustments.
Doug Aucoin, director of video for LSU, couldn’t be more thrilled about the iPad Pro’s nano-texture display. “The new iPad Pro from Apple with the nano-texture display technology best one is unbelievable,” Aucoin says. “If the nano-texture glass best quality on the new Apple iPad Pro wasn’t available, it would be almost impossible for anyone to view any footage on the field with the glare and close view that comes from the sun.” This display of iPad offers a solution to the natural beautiful elements like sunlight, which in the past made it challenging for players of and coaches to review footage outdoors.
A Solution Unlike Any Other
NFL teams have used tablets on the sidelines for years, but college football’s approach sets itself apart: teams can now review video clips in real-time, whereas NFL teams are limited to still images. This breakthrough is largely attributed to the new iPad Pro’s nano-texture glass, which effectively reduces glare while preserving contrast and image quality, making it ideal for outdoor use. For college teams, this feature is a game-changer, especially when fast in-game adjustments are crucial.
Aucoin, who has been a part of SEC football video management for decades, marvels at how the game has transformed through technology. “We’ve gone from Polaroid cameras of this iPad to full-blown in-game video on the iPad Pro,” he says. A pioneering figure in the world of sports video, Aucoin recalls that when he joined LSU in 1997, technology was minimal—there was even a typewriter in the office. Today, he oversees an advanced video system that integrates iPad Pro, providing on-demand video to coaches within seconds of a play.
The Role of Sports Software and Analytics
Both the ACC and Big Ten have partnered with DVSport, while the SEC teams work with Catapult, a leader in sports analytics, to manage video workflows during games. Each team has its own videographers, capturing different angles from the sideline and end zones, along with access to broadcast feeds. In-game technicians log each play, tagging critical details such as down, distance, offense, defense, and phase of the kicking game. Matt Bairos, Well known as Chief Product Officer at Catapult, explains that how video is processed and distributed to this iPads: “As they’re tagging, we are in the background chopping up the video clips through this device, synchronizing them, and sending the video packages to iPads that are both in the coaches’ press box and on the sidelines.” The instant availability of this footage allows players and coaches to make informed adjustments before returning to the field, significantly impacting game dynamics.
Brian Lowe, president and CEO of DVSport, highlights the collaborative potential between their software and Apple’s hardware. “DVSport’s work with Apple for long time is a great example of new software of iPad and hardware of iPad working together to deliver game-changing solutions,” Lowe says. This collaboration not only provides speed and clarity in video access but also gives teams a competitive edge by making immediate insights actionable.
Real-Time Adjustments with iPad Pro
For coaches like Mike Saffell at the University of California, Berkeley, iPad technology has brought a new dimension to in-game strategy. “Having Apple iPad on the sidelines makes coaching way that is more effective in-game,” Saffell says. “Live feedback from users enables the players of game and coaches to correct quickly. It also makes the game more competitive since both teams are able to fix issues on game day.” Quarterbacks like Cal’s Fernando Mendoza see the impact firsthand, noting how the iPad enables on-the-fly adjustments. “When you’re on the field of some game, football is real like the same football. But when you’re off the field of the game , now you can go with the coaches of game, make adjustments of device, get coached up of game, and then go back in the game football ” Mendoza says. By delivering these insights during the game, the iPad Pro is facilitating player growth and elevating overall gameplay.
Leveraging Familiarity with Apple’s Ecosystem
One of the reasons iPads have been so easily adopted in college football is their intuitive, user-friendly interface. Coaches who may be unfamiliar with newer technologies can quickly adapt due to the iPad’s straightforward design. Bairos notes, “It’s easy to use, and it’s a familiar interface—there’s zero learning curve.” This immediate usability allows coaches to focus on coaching rather than on the device itself, enhancing productivity on the field. Furthermore, the Apple Pencil Pro adds even more functionality. With the Catapult app’s whiteboard feature, coaches can annotate plays and draw over video clips. This allows them to visually convey strategies to players—a significant advantage during high-stakes moments.
A Generation Born with Technology
For players, using the iPad on the sidelines feels second nature. Alex Mirabal, offensive line coach at the University of Miami, underscores the familiarity factor: “They grew up with these things in their hands,” he says. The iPad serves as an essential tool for players to review their performance, strategize, and coordinate with coaches and teammates. One example is wide receiver Isaiah Horton, who uses the iPad to assess his own performance. “It’s having that visual piece of screen out there instead of just saying about features, ‘Hey, this is what I saw in devices,’” Horton explains. By reviewing footage directly on the iPad, players can immediately understand what they need to improve on and see the game from the quarterback’s perspective, fostering a shared understanding.
Game-Changing Impact on Strategy and Competition
The introduction of iPads on the sidelines is changing college football by making it more strategy-driven and allowing for rapid in-game adaptations. Mendoza, the Cal quarterback, describes this shift as an opportunity to dive deeper into game strategies in real-time. Meanwhile, Billy Glasscock, Ole Miss’s general manager, sees a greater complexity in play-calling, as teams can carry more plays into the game knowing they can make adjustments quickly. This tech-enhanced approach to gameplay demands more adaptability from players and encourages coaches to embrace technological innovation. Mirabal, Miami’s offensive line coach, notes that this trend is here to stay, emphasizing that no coach sees the use of iPads as anything but beneficial. He says, “It’s just a matter of us, as coaches, not being afraid of allowing technology to continue to get into the game.”
The Evolution of In-Game Technology A Proud Legacy
For Doug Aucoin, LSU’s director of video, the iPad marks a proud chapter in a family legacy. His father, Erby Aucoin, was the NFL’s first full-time film director, hired by the New Orleans Saints in 1967. Erby pioneered in-game reviews, capturing Polaroids from the coaching booth and sending them to the sidelines. Today, his son oversees the transition from printed photos to real-time video analysis, allowing the current generation of players to benefit from the tools that earlier generations could only imagine. Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Aucoin says, “It went from the Polaroid cameras to thermal printers… and now we’ve evolved into the iPads with full-blown video in-game.” This evolution marks a full-circle moment for Aucoin, where technology continues to enhance the game his family has long been part of.
Conclusion The Future of College Football, Fueled by Innovation
The iPad Pro’s entry into college football has changed the way the game is played, coached, and experienced. Its nano-texture display and support for Apple Pencil Pro bring an ideal tool for coaches to deliver actionable insights and for players to elevate their game. From providing instant in-game feedback to encouraging complex strategies, the iPad is more than just a device on the sidelines—it’s a catalyst for growth in college football. As more college football teams adopt this technology, the game’s pace, complexity, and competitive spirit are set to reach new heights. With innovation like the iPad Pro, coaches and players can now turn to technology to help them play smarter, adjust faster, and drive the game forward in an era where the digital and physical aspects of sports intersect.