The SEC announced to its member schools on Friday that beginning Monday, March 30, league coaches will be permitted to conduct online instruction of players.
The league had put a moratorium on distance coaching in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, which at the time banned all team activities from March 13 through April 15.
In a memo obtained by Auburn Undercover, beginning Monday the SEC will continue banning required team workouts -- many teams have been holding voluntary (wink, wink) workouts conducted via Zoom and/or private Instagram accounts -- but will now allow coaches to conduct virtual chalk talk sessions with players.
From the memo:
Required virtual film review, chalk talk, etc. that does not include physical activity shall be permissible. Any required activity of this nature shall be limited to two (2) hours of activity per week in all sports, shall be scheduled in accordance with the institution’s established Time Management Policy, and shall not interfere with required class time for online instruction. These activities may not include a review by or live monitoring of film/video of a student-athlete engaging in workouts or physical activity occurring after March 13, 2020. Institutions may not suggest or require a student-athlete to make film/video of his/her workouts or physical activity available by other means (such as social media).
The conference further clarified that recruits can not be included in such activities, only countable coaches can hold virtual meetings with players, and coaches and/or non-strength staff can not view virtual strength workouts.
The new rule goes into effect at 1 p.m. ET on Monday, and further assessment of off-season activities will arrive in the weeks to come.
Meanwhile, Big 12 coaches have complained their conference office has been to strict in regards to allowing (virtual) face time with players. “Our conference has been more stringent on it,” Riley said in a radio interview with KREF on Thursday (according to a Norman Transcript report). “So that hasn’t been a positive in that it hasn’t really been an equal playing field.”
The Big Ten moved Friday to extend its ban on organized team activities through May 4.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.