Apr. 15—GRAND FORKS — For the first time in UND football history in 2025, Fighting Hawks offensive coordinator Isaac Fruechte will be delivering play calls directly to the headsets of his quarterbacks.
Fruechte and the quarterbacks have been using the technology throughout the spring to iron out the process, with the offensive coordinator leaning into the theory of less is more.
Fruechte uses the headset during spring ball when the Fighting Hawks are in team periods and 7-on-7 situations.
“We’re trying to do a better job getting them to figure out how to hear it and communicate but keeping the ability to see the sideline, so we can have dummy signals or live signals,” Fruechte said.
In 2024, FCS programs were allowed to have the in-helmet communication for games against FBS programs, which were allowed to have the technology all season. UND didn’t use the technology during its game against Iowa State in 2024.
In 2025, all FCS programs will be using in-helmet communication.
Although UND has never used the in-helmet communication previously, Fruechte was familiar with the setup during his time in the NFL, while quarterback Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson used in-helmet communication last season as a freshman at San Diego State.
UND has four quarterback helmets with the communication setup, although only three are in use at spring ball while 2024 starter Simon Romfo recovers from an injury. UND’s quarterbacks competing in spring ball are Tupou’ata-Johnson, Jerry Kaminski and Jack Sulik.
On gameday, all four quarterbacks will have the technology although only one of those helmets can be in the game at a time.
The communication between coach and quarterback will be cut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock by a third-party official.
Fruechte said he’s trying to not overload his quarterbacks with information.
“I’ve tried to be less is more,” he said. “Personnel, play … really the bare bones of what they need. As we’ve gone more and more, I’ve given them tips or reminders, but from my experience, less is more because it makes them overthink or second-guess what they’re seeing. We’re doing a good job teaching in the classroom and on the white board so when we’re out here all they hear is play and move on.”
However, there may be times Fruechte strays in his communication beyond the next play.
“Situational awareness is good,” he said. “It’s four-down territory here. Red zone. Backed-up situations. We’ve worked on reminding them of stuff, but it’s small.”
What: UND Spring Showcase.
Where: Pollard Center.
When: Friday, April 25, 6:20 p.m.
Note: Free and open to public. Event will run until around 8 p.m., with doors open at 5 p.m. A 30-minute autograph session will follow the Spring Showcase.