Purdue files appeal to permit coach Jeff Brohm to communicate remotely during Saturday's game
“I don’t know if I’m wildly optimistic, but we have filed an appeal for that group to review"
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue has filed an appeal with the NCAA Football Rules Committee to allow head coach Jeff Brohm to communicate with his staff remotely during Saturday’s game against Iowa.
Athletic director Mike Bobinski told the Journal & Courier on Wednesday he expects a decision Thursday.
Brohm won’t be on the sidelines after contacting coronavirus last weekend and is currently isolating at home, per Big Ten and CDC guidelines. The fourth-year coach is eager to explore an avenue to communicate with his staff, or at least one coach, during the game.
“We would not request full-on video access,” Bobinski said. “We’re talking more about the ability to have communication by phone to the coaches box or wherever. Pretty simple stuff – a phone call.
“Everybody has a phone these days and I think one of the reasons they were hesitant to approve some of these in the past is not everybody has the ability to bring technology in the same way. You didn’t want to have an advantage/disadvantage created.
“When you’re talking about phone calls, I don’t think there’s any conceivable advantage/disadvantage there. That’s a pretty universal resource.”
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The situation came up last week after Alabama coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 and was looking for a way to communicate with his team during isolation. Saban, though, was cleared to return to the sidelines after three negative tests.
A coach is prohibited from communicating with his team or other coaches on his staff beginning 90 minutes before kickoff until the end of the game. No pregame or halftime speeches and adjustments made by the head coach.
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Jeff Brohm’s young brother, Brian, will serve as the acting head coach and handle play-calling duties Saturday. If Jeff Brom is permitted to have communication, it might change how the coaching staff proceeds forward.
“I don’t know if I’m wildly optimistic, but we have filed an appeal for that group to review,” Bobinski said.
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter @carmin_jc