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Miami (OH) head coach Chuck Martin goes on epic rant against sideline technology
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Miami (OH) head coach Chuck Martin is not scared to speak his mind on a variety of topics, and that includes the use of technology on the sidelines.
This season, college football will provide teams the opportunity to utilize technology on the sidelines. That includes in-helmet communication between coaches and a player on the field and the use of iPads and tablets to review in-game footage.
The NFL has utilized a similar format in recent seasons, and many head coaches have been in favor of adopting the format at the collegiate level. However, Martin is not one of them, and he believes he was probably the only head coach to vote against allowing technology on the sidelines.
“We love technology and everybody’s all excited about the iPads. Obviously I’ve got to be the only coach in the country that voted against it… In the old days you had to actually watch the action, figure out what’s going on and go make adjustments,” said Martin. “I can get a 9-year-old kid to watch a play on an iPad and say ‘Listen, that guy was running wide open up the seam, we should cover him.'”
Martin sees it all as a ploy that’s smart for those looking to sell the technology, but he bemoaned the introduction as a step toward robots on the field and on the sidelines.
“All the technology, it’s smart by the technology people that sell it. But I hate all of it, so. I used to like when you had to coach,” criticized Martin. “…Used to have to make in-game adjustments, now the iPad will make ’em for you. Pretty soon there will be robots… We’ll have fake officials, fake players, fake coaches. It’ll be like playing NCAA 25.”
Tell us how you really feel Chuck.
Clip from @BCHSSReport pic.twitter.com/Qc5bKcOWb3
— Sidelines – Miami Ohio (@SSN_Redhawks) August 27, 2024
It’s not even the first time this month Martin has produced an epic and viral rant. He previously blasted Alabama and claimed the Crimson Tide “stole our kicker” via illegal recruiting during an interview during training camp.
“That’s a fact, but we act like… we live in this la-la world… hey, let’s talk reality. Everybody knows what’s going on,” said Martin. “Alabama stole our kicker. A couple of other schools tried to steal him…”
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
