The use of unencrypted frequencies for communications between coaches and players during Power 4 college football games this season has raised significant security concerns.

According to a report from ESPNThese unencrypted channels allowed anyone with a scanner and knowledge of the relevant frequencies to potentially access in-game communications. This vulnerability emerged after Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt discovered that communications of the Red Raiders helmet were available to the public. Hocutt then raised the issue with Big 12 athletic directors, leading to immediate action to protect the integrity of the game.

The Big 12 quickly responded, asking its member schools to send their headset communications devices to GSC, the supplier to all Power 4 teams, for a software update that would introduce encryption. The update aims to ensure device security for upcoming games. Other Power 4 conferences, including the SEC, ACC and Big Ten, were already aware of the issue and contacted GSC to ensure the security of their communications systems. Despite some initial security concerns, officials at these conferences have reported no known cases of compromised communications during games.

This season marks the first time the NCAA has allowed communications between coaches and players using headsets and tablets in FBS-level games. The configuration, similar to that of the NFL, constitutes a step forward in terms of play.

“We have to have a game that is in no way questionable in its integrity on a Saturday afternoon,” Hocutt told ESPN. “We owe it to the 120 young men on our football team to ensure that this happens, that it is a fair competitive game and that the same rules are applied.”

The rule change for use of the communication was approved in April, following an NCAA investigation into a signal-stealing controversy involving Michigan. A frequency coordinator discovered the problem with unencrypted communications frequencies during the Texas A&M-Arkansas game in late September, notifying both the SEC and other affected parties. Since then, football operations managers from the Power 4 conferences have worked together to resolve the issue.

Although the risk of interference or eavesdropping was deemed low, the revelation sparked concern and frustration among athletic directors, who believed they were equipped with encryption comparable to that of the NFL. In response, the Big 12 advised moving to backup frequencies as an interim measure until GSC’s software update is ready. However, it appears that not all football teams were informed of the frequency change.

Texas Tech, in particular, took steps to secure its communications, choosing to move to an encrypted system from CoachComm for its game against Iowa State. This preventative measure reflects the team’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the game amid uncertainty. Some Big 12 athletic directors have also called for an investigation into previous games to confirm their integrity, underscoring the seriousness with which they view this issue. It’s unclear whether Utah’s Mark Harlin has expressed concerns about this.

Although some coaches doubt that unencrypted communications provide a tangible competitive advantage due to the difficulties of interpreting and acting on intercepted information, the need for security remains paramount. The Power 4 conferences continue to work with GSC to maintain safe and fair competition in college football.