Concho Valley Coaches and Officials React to UIL's Surprise Announcement

SAN ANGELO, TX—On Thursday the University Interscholastic League did something they have never done before; they instituted instant replay for all 12 state championship football games.

“It’s a testament to Dr. [Susan] Elza and the UIL,” said Eldorado Head Coach and Athletic Director Michael Johnson. “They are always trying to find ways to keep Texas high school football the standard for greatness at this level.”

Replays will be initiated by a collegiate replay official in the replay booth at the State Championships.

Prior to the UIL’s announcement on Thursday, there had been little chatter about the addition of instant replay, but many figured it was only a matter of time.

“I figured it was coming,” said San Angelo ISD Athletic Director Brent McCallie.

When the announcement came out, many coaches were in favor of implementing instant replay at the state games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

“Look at the implications,” said Sonora Athletic Director and Head Coach Jeff Cordell. “You don’t want to lose [State] on a bad call. Yeah, there were long delays when they first started replay in the NFL and collegiate levels. But it’s worth it if the call is correct.”

Cordell also said he was “somewhat shocked” at the UIL’s announcement.

“This past year, there were some questionable calls that changed the course of some of [the State Championships],” said Wall Head Coach Houston Guy. “We have the capability at AT&T Stadium, why not use it? Yeah, it could slow the game down, but every game will be [called] right.”

The announcement even stretches down to the six-man level of play.

“If I’m playing in a game that uses it, that’d be great because it means we’re playing at state,” Garden City Athletic Director and Head Coach Jeff Jones joked. “I haven’t fully digested this yet. People are worried it will add time. But in six-man some of the games are over in less than an hour. It shouldn’t have a major impact.

“The only drawback is us six-man coaches like officials who know six-man,” Jones said referring to the replay official. “If there’s a bobbled snap and the running back picks up the ball and runs past the line of scrimmage, that play needs to be reviewed. They would need to look and see if there was an exchange between the quarterback and running back. We want someone who knows that rule.”

In the UIL announcement, the governing body of Texas public school athletics reiterated penalties are not reviewable plays, including targeting which is reviewed at the NCAA level.

Some coaches also feel this could create some added pressure on the officials in Arlington.

“It adds pressure to the officials,” Cordell said. “They’ll be under more scrutiny and may be hesitant to make certain calls. It can be the difference between a win and a loss. I hope it works.”

The move by the UIL is likely a trial run of instant replay that could expand to more games, according to the coaches.

“I think they’ll realize [replay] is a pretty big tool,” Houston Guy said. “Who knows, [the UIL] may not like it. But I think they will. It’s a way to get things right. It takes pressure off of the officials."

Not everyone in the Concho Valley was thrilled about the announcement, however.

"It has some positives," Brent McCallie said. "But the one thing I don't like about it is that for 15 games we are not going to use Instant Replay and then do it for one!" 

For Eldorado’s Head Man, the move offers a chance for coaches to approach coaching at a more grounded level.

“It gives us another chance to coach and love our kids,” Johnson said. “Most kids playing high school football won’t play college ball. This gives us another chance to coach these kids on life.”

Texas joins several other states utilizing instant replay in some capacity, including Alabama, Minnesota and New Jersey.