Abilene Christian Football Leverages GameStrat for In-Game Video Replay

The 2024 college football season marked a significant shift across the entire NCAA, as in-game video technology was permitted for the first time. Abilene Christian University (ACU), a consistently competitive program within the FCS, quickly adopted this new technology, utilizing GameStrat to help gain a competitive advantage. The Wildcats were the 2024 United Athletic Conference champs and made an impressive playoff run, ultimately falling in the second round to powerhouse North Dakota State, who went on to win their 10th FCS national championship (another GameStrat team).

We had a chance to speak with ACU’s Video Coordinator, James Smith, to understand how GameStrat impacted their season and helped elevate their coaching capabilities.

For ACU football, the introduction of in-game video replay was a game changer. Both the coaches on the field and those in the booth embraced the ability to review plays in real time, significantly enhancing their ability to strategize.

Overall it went great. The coaches loved the ability to watch the film throughout the course of the game for the first time this year. It was a game changer for us.

Traditionally, coaches relied on anything from player feedback, coaches on the sidelines, or coaches in the booth to make adjustments. With the introduction of sideline replay technology, teams can now see the entire picture immediately on a tablet after any given play. This instant access allows coaches to quickly analyze what’s happening on the field and make precise, informed adjustments in real time.

Being able to make adjustments immediately after a play or drive ended was a big game-changer. Before the technology, some adjustments had to wait because coaches may not have seen all aspects of the play. This year, with the technology, it definitely sped that process up and made it easier for our coaching staff because they were able to see all aspects of the play shortly after they happened.

Integrating a new system into an established workflow can seem daunting, but for ACU football, the process was seamless. GameStrat’s ease of setup allowed the team to focus on preparation rather than logistics.

It didn’t change too much honestly. I was usually able to get it all setup within 10-20 minutes. It was relatively straightforward setting it all up and tearing it down after.

For teams considering sideline replay systems, ACU video coordinator James Smith emphasized the user-friendly nature and reliability of GameStrat, noting how much the coaches valued its impact throughout the season.

GameStrat is very user-friendly. It may seem intimidating at first, but once you get used to it, it’s very valuable. It’s simple to set up and operate, and our coaches have loved it!