Could the SEC have a mandatory injury reporting requirement this season?

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is moving toward mandatory injury reporting before conference games, according to a report from The Athletic.

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said Wednesday in a conference call with SEC coaches that they are prepared for the system if it is used before A&M's first conference game at Florida on Sept. 14.

“I don't know how to really prepare for this,” admitted coach Elko. “I think it's one of those things that just comes with the territory, and we'll do what we have to do to make sure we do it right.”

The SEC has not yet issued a final policy on reporting violations, a spokesperson confirmed in a statement to KBTX on Wednesday.

“We are continuing to work on the student-athlete availability reporting policy, but it is not yet finalized.”, the statement said. “The policy has been updated and is subject to further review. We will announce a final decision once it is finalized. If implemented, it will only apply to conference games..”

The new policy was first confirmed by Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on Tuesday.

The NFL has availability categories that the SEC could use, such as “out,” “doubtful” and “questionable.” The change is a response to the rapid growth of sports betting across the country.

“We're going to follow the rules they give us,” Coach Smart told reporters. “They're the same as the NFL. They've been doing this for years and it takes the pressure off our kids when people try to contact them and get information for betting sites. There's no point in having accurate information. So if it protects our kids, I'm all for it.”

The policy would need to be implemented by next week, as South Carolina and Kentucky open their SEC games on Sept. 7.

Coach positioning

Both A&M coordinators will call plays from the coach's box this season, coach Elko confirmed on Wednesday's conference call.

New Aggie defensive coordinator Jay Bateman confirmed he would get a look at the field from above during fall camp.

“I like it better when I'm up there commanding the game and you can see it a little better,” Bateman said. “I have a lot of confidence in our staff — in their ability to communicate and enforce what we consider to be the benchmark of excellence on defense and on the sideline.”

Both coordinators will be in direct contact with a player on each side of the ball through a helmet-built communication system that was legalized in college football this season. The coordinators' voices will be the only ones their respective players will hear, coach Elko confirmed on the conference call, though he has the option to switch his headset to the receiver built into the helmet.

“I think that's probably where I could do more harm than good as a head coach,” said Coach Elko, who was considering the idea of ​​adding his voice to the communications system. “I don't know if there's any benefit to having multiple voices on these headsets, either offensively or defensively.”

Last season, former head coach Jimbo Fisher served as a defensive playmaker and was on the sidelines. Former offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino began the season in the coaches' box but returned to the field later in the season.

College GameDay is coming

ESPN's College GameDay set began Wednesday at Aggie Park, with Coach Elko addressing the conference call.

“Listen, we have College GameDay,” he added. “We have the primetime slot on ABC. There will be four to five million eyes on Texas A&M football this weekend, and that gives us a great stage and a great platform to go out there and do our best and play our brand of football.”

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