Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz Takes Swipe at Michigan Over Sign-Stealing Allegations

Every school would prefer helmet communications, except perhaps one, according to the Tigers coach.

Michigan is an easy target for jokes and derision amid accusations of sign-stealing by a staff analyst.

With that in mind, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz took a jab at the Wolverines during an interview on the GoJo and Golic podcast on Friday. 

Drinkwitz is among the college football coaches calling for communication devices o be placed in quarterbacks’ helmets that would allow plays to be communicated directly. That would largely eliminate the need for hand signals or signs that could be stolen by opponents. 

Asked by Mike Golic if most college coaches would prefer to use radios in QB helmets instead of having to signal plays on the sideline, Drinkwitz said, “Yeah, I think everybody but Michigan probably would want to.”

Check out the clip:

"I think the playoffs were worth $1B, but we can't afford wireless headsets. It's mindblowing to me." - Eli Drinkwitz

"You think most coaches would like to go with receivers in helmets of the QBs to signal caller?" @golic

"Yeah, I think everybody but Michigan would want to" 😂 pic.twitter.com/MK09PUAVzC

— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) October 27, 2023

Ouch!

That zinger stings. But if the allegations against Michigan’s staff are true, Drinkwitz might not be wrong. 

Alabama’s Nick Saban and LSU’s Brian Kelly are two other prominent coaches who feel it’s long overdue for college football to adopt helmet communication technology. Like Drinkwitz, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule pointed out that many high school football squads currently use more technology on their sidelines than college teams do. 

While college football waits to see what penalties might be leveled against Michigan, the scandal could spur some changes in the game relatively soon.