CFP NOTES: Teams learn of investigations revolving around improper use of Internet; Steele says who's boss of Tide defense
Coach Nick Saban oversees pre-bowl practices as the Alabama Crimson Tide prepare for Monday’s Rose Bowl Game. (Unv. Alabama Athletic Dept. )
By GRAHAM DUNN
There was more intrigue regarding possible cheating revealed a day after Alabama players mentioned during Thursday’s press conferences of not using their personal iPads to watch game film.
On Friday, the company that provides video footage for college football programs, announced that the NCAA is investigating alleged illegal usage of the Internet for the purpose of unauthorized access to game films..
Catapult Sports announced of an investigation into the allegations, but did not find infringement in its system. The company said it is cooperating with local authorities and the NCAA as well as the FBI., which are in the middle of a probe of the company’s online information.
The company distributes software to teams to share practice film and video clips to coaches and players.
An unnamed individual from the University of Michigan stated that the football team was not being investigated and that the program had shut down its access to online video.
During Thursday’s press conferences, Alabama players stated they were told not to use unsecured computers and were watching film with teammates.
The investigation comes on the heels of the sign-stealing controversy that swirled around the Michigan football program this season and led to a three-game suspension of head coach Jim Harbaugh.
All know who’s in charge of the Tide defense
Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele was asked on Friday about the hierarchy of the defensive play calling.
Steele was adamant and somewhat lighthearted with his answer.
“I’ll help you on one of your questions - who do you think the defensive coordinator at Alabama is?” he quipped. “There ain’t but one and he’s won seven national championships. As long as you know that we’re good.”
The Crimson Tide defense has shown a marked improvement since the loss to Texas in Week 3 of the season. Steele said it was a matter of reps and getting healthy.
“It goes back to spring practice,” he said. “We had guys out so repetition and matriculation of reps on grass, playing together… the defensive front, playing through the growth process, playing really physical, really strong.”
In his first season back with the Tide, Steele has been impressed with the players.
“They are easy to coach,” he said. “They are very competitive, extremely coachable. They work very very hard at understanding what we are doing and understanding what the opponent is doing too. (I am) very impressed with the competitive spirit but also their football intelligence.”
Michigan assistant learns on the job
Michigan assistant Sherrone Moore learned a lot about being a head coach during Jim Harbaugh’s absence.
“The biggest difference is that when you're the head coach you got to talk with the reps a lot, and that communication can be positive, can be a little negative,” he said.
“But I try to manage that as best as possible, but making the decisions on the fly in those situations, as a coordinator, especially going for it on 4th down, when you have a head coach there you're counting on him. When you're the head coach you kind of make that call yourself.”
Moore was the interim head coach in six games while Harbaugh served two different suspensions. His goal was to keep the situation for the Wolverines as normal as possible.
“Me and Coach, we have the same mindset of how we would call it, how we would do it in those situations,” he said. “Those are the biggest differences going from just a coordinator to the head coach.”