A quiet rule change becomes college football’s loudest special teams fight

A quiet rule change becomes college football’s loudest special teams fight

The rule change to punt formations was merely a footnote. Now, it’s a controversy.

After the NCAA’s Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on March 19 adopted what the special teams community has called a “drastic rule change,” the measure that restricts player movement for “two adjacent linemen on either side of the snapper” faces the potential to be rescinded.

Coaches familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports that Steve Shaw, the NCAA’s national coordinator of officials, recently held a Zoom meeting for FBS special teams coordinators that featured more than 50 coaches.

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“We didn’t have a chance for answers,” a current Power conference special teams coordinator from a College Football Playoff participant told USA TODAY Sports. “Some people basically were already done with spring football when this was passed.

“I can’t do it or teach it in the summer, because that’s cheating and then I’d get fired.”

The debate has bubbled to such a boil, people familiar with the adopted rule change told USA TODAY Sports, the NCAA’s subcommittee headed by Shaw was expected to meet again late this week. Additionally, an unofficial survey conducted by NCAA Division I coaches, with responses from special teams coordinators and head coaches with results provided to USA TODAY Sports, showed a 61-1 vote of coaches who opposed the new rule.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) embraces his family on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) lifts the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the trophy as the team celebrates winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) is interviewed by ESPN personality Rece Davis after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Lincoln Murff (45) celebrates on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti celebrates on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

A national champions flag is is seen after the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Devan Boykin (12), wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) and linebacker PJ Nelson (30) celebrate after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Indiana Hoosiers reacts against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Ryland Gandy (10) reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates with wide receiver Charlie Becker (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half of the CFP National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) celebrates with defensive back Louis Moore (7) after making an interception against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) reacts after getting an interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) embraces his family on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

1 / 18

Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) embraces his family on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) lifts the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the trophy as the team celebrates winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) is interviewed by ESPN personality Rece Davis after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Lincoln Murff (45) celebrates on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti celebrates on the field Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

A national champions flag is is seen after the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Devan Boykin (12), wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) and linebacker PJ Nelson (30) celebrate after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

The Indiana Hoosiers reacts against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Ryland Gandy (10) reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates with wide receiver Charlie Becker (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half of the CFP National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

The Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) celebrates with defensive back Louis Moore (7) after making an interception against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Indiana Hoosiers claim first national football title over Miami

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) reacts after getting an interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.

In a wide-ranging interview with USA TODAY Sports last month, Big 12 officiating head Greg Burks elaborated on the punt-coverage rule change.

“The difference to our game to the NFL game, the NFL can only send wideouts down to cover a punt until the ball is kicked,” said Burks, who officiated college football games for 24 years before he transitioned into the Big 12’s front-office role. “College, everybody can release. Then, the numbering exception rule came in and you have to report every time.

“Then it has grown to coaches being so creative and ingenious, they’ve come up with so many different formations in punt formation that defense and officials don’t know who’s eligible and where they’re coming from. It’s difficult to officiate and defend. This rule was written to try to clean it up.”

A sitting FBS head coach, however, told USA TODAY Sports that measure wasn’t properly discussed. He, as well as three Power conference special teams coordinators, an FCS coordinator and two senior special teams analysts, spoke on condition of anonymity in order to offer their candid remarks.

“The punt formation rule is a rash decision that was passed without the same kind of consideration and study as the last big (special teams) changes — like no wedge on kickoff returns,” the head coach said. “Some head coaches are happy to worry about less of the gadgets and uniqueness on punts (from guys like me), but I am afraid there will be some unintended consequences that come from this like more punts getting blocked and the possibility of injuries to punters. We shall see.”

A Power conference-level special teams coordinator said the rule change was destined to harm the game’s creativity.

“Essentially, it is a very drastic rule change that passed, that wasn’t worded accurately in the initial language versus what just passed,” he said. “And nobody is thinking about the ramifications that it is going to cause.

“One, this is a drastic rule change that nobody knew about because it was unclear and the rule doesn’t even match the original proposal. Originally, people were fine with the rule (basically stating if you align as a guard or tackle within the tackle box, you will be ineligible). Everyone would be fine with that (at least majority of STC would be).

“(This is) taking tons of creativity out of the game (which is what fans want) — way less fakes will happen.”

A separate P-4 coordinator told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday, April 8, "Two (rival P-4 special teams coordinators) didn't know about the rule change until I told them (Tuesday)."

A P-4 special teams coordinator told USA TODAY Sports the new rule would require every single player with a number exception — such as a linebacker whose game jersey is No. 24, for example, but who is lined up in one of the designated positions — to check in with officials and thus be announced as a number change. It’s possible as many as four players could check in with numbers exceptions, a move that prompted coaches to wonder how it might slow down a game.

“Extremely time consuming and nobody knows the details on how that is going to be handled when players report in with numbers 50 through 79,” said another P-4 coordinator, who noted the 50-79 numbers are designated as linemen numbers. “And then how the opponent will be notified. Is this going to be while the play clock is going?

“And then how everyone will have to report back in to their original number if they go back in on offense or defense. And have to repeat that whole sequence of events every time a punt happens.”

Added an additional special teams coordinator, “Doesn’t affect me a lot because I’m a three-shield guy and don’t change the formation very much. But for teams that live in the two-man shield or one-man shield world and try to hide a gunner in the egg gap or eligible receiver in the a gap, then it would absolutely create issue. And we’ve created a world in college football, where the only people that truly wear ineligible (numbers) are offensive linemen.”

Thus, the debate continues.

“This has ignited special teams coaches to say, ‘Wait a minute, this is such a big change,’” Burks said. “The discussion is ensuing now. …

“The rule has already passed, and to my knowledge, we’ve never had one pass and then be rescinded. I don’t know where we’ll end up.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why NCAA’s new punt rule change has college football coaches fuming