McCallie School, TN - Case Study

McCallie School, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has long been recognized as one of the top high school football programs in the state. With a strong tradition of winning, high-level competition, and a program built on consistency, McCallie has established itself as one of the most respected names in Tennessee high school football.

When a program like McCallie takes the field, expectations are high every single week. Coaches need tools they can trust, especially in-game, when quick adjustments and dependable communication can make a major difference.

That is exactly what led McCallie to make the switch to GameStrat.

Looking for Something Better

Coach Adam Tolar has been at McCallie for more than 20 years and currently serves as the head coach of the 3 teams in the middle school program. He also plays a key role on varsity game nights, overseeing and organizing all in-game and postgame film.

When McCallie started evaluating alternatives for in-game video, they were not just looking for something new. They were looking for something better, an upgrade from the instability of Hudl Sideline.

As he went through the process, Coach Tolar said he tried to find weaknesses in the GameStrat system.

As we were researching options I kept trying to poke holes in the GameStrat system, but after looking at the alternatives, GameStrat was the system checking all the boxes for us.Coach Adam Tolar, McCallie HS

That confidence only grew as he talked with other coaches he trusted.

I called around some coaches I trust in our area, and I just kept hearing about GameStrat. After looking at all the reviews of the system it became a no brainer for us.Coach Adam Tolar, McCallie HS

A Need for More Dependability

The move became even more important after what happened the previous season.

Coach Tolar mentioned that during the 2024 state championship game, their Hudl Sideline system completely went down in the middle of the biggest game of the year. In a moment where in-game replay matters most, they lost access to it entirely.

For a program competing for championships, that kind of failure is hard to overlook. McCallie needed something they could count on.

Immediate Difference in Speed

One of the first things that stood out after switching from Hudl Sideline to GameStrat was how much faster the clips reached the iPads.

We asked Coach Tolar to compare the speed of GameStrat to what they had previously experienced with Hudl Sideline, and the difference was clear.

With Hudl Sideline last year it would take 15 to 20 seconds after the play for the clips to arrive. When we switched to GameStrat we were amazed at just how quickly the clips showed up. It was almost instant.Coach Adam Tolar, McCallie HS

That kind of speed changes what coaches can actually do during a game. Instead of waiting on video to load, they can review the play right away and make corrections while the play is still relevant.

Coach Tolar said that alone made a major impression in year one.

GameStrat has definitely exceeded my expectations in the first year. We used to wait for clips, there would be delays & disconnections with Hudl Sideline. GameStrat has been much better in that regard.Coach Adam Tolar, McCallie HS

Support From People Who Understand Friday Nights

Another major difference was the level of support they received.

With GameStrat, support is never outsourced. When a team calls, they are talking to someone in-house who understands football, understands the pressure of Friday nights, and understands that if there is a problem during a game, it has to be handled right away.

If you call, someone will pick up. Even if it is the middle of a game. For Coach Tolar, that stood out immediately.

With Hudl we could rarely get a hold of a real person, and the customer service wasn’t there. That’s another area where GameStrat exceeded our expectations is the support. Right from the start there was a personal feel. Guys are reaching out making sure we’re good to go. If there’s ever an issue, usually on our end, we can call and know that we’re gonna talk to a real person right away. It’s been great.Coach Adam Tolar, McCallie HS

That kind of support matters because it gives coaches confidence that they are not going to be left on their own when they need help most.

More Flexibility With Their Video Setup

Another reason McCallie made the switch was the flexibility GameStrat gave them with their camera setup.

McCallie has started using drone film for their overhead wide-angle view while pairing it with an end zone camera for the tight shot. That added a new layer to what they could see and how they could coach from the sideline.

Using a live drone feed for in-game video was not possible for them with Hudl Sideline. With GameStrat, it was.

Why It Was Worth the Switch

For McCallie, the decision came down to dependability, ease of use, speed, and knowing the system would deliver when it mattered.

When asked what he would tell another coach looking at different options for in-game video, Coach Tolar kept it simple.

It’s worth the money for us because of its dependability and its ease of use. It’s fast and it provides our coaches with exactly what they need in a timely manner, and it benefits our kids in a huge way.Coach Adam Tolar, McCallie HS

That is ultimately what matters most. Coaches get the information they need, when they need it, and players benefit from better adjustments on the sideline.