Why Texas Just Changed the Game—and What Every Coach Needs to Know
Football is evolving—and it’s not just on the field. This season, Texas became the first state to allow unlimited wearable devices for in-game coach-to-player communication, and GoRout Gridiron is at the center of this breakthrough.
Drew Robinson, Chief of Partnerships at GoRout and former coach at Western Michigan, Syracuse, and Rutgers, joined us on the Coach and Coordinator Podcast to break down how this new technology works—and why it’s more than just a tech upgrade.
“We truly believe that as Texas goes, everybody else goes,” Robinson said.
And he’s right. What’s happening in Texas now is likely just the beginning.
What Is GoRout Gridiron?
At its core, GoRout Gridiron is a wearable digital wristband or belt pack that allows coaches to send real-time play calls to players. Coaches upload their play sheet to the GoRout app, click a button, and every player wearing a device instantly receives the call—no huddles, hand signals, or confusion.
Each device vibrates to alert the player, who looks down to see the play. It’s seamless, secure, and eliminates the inefficiencies and risks of traditional signal systems.
“You can communicate with every player—not just one helmet like the old systems,” Robinson emphasized. “And you can do it faster and more securely.”
How Texas Led the Way
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) in Texas approved the use of wearable communication for all players—as long as calls originate from the press box. That distinction makes Texas a pioneer, and GoRout the go-to solution, thanks to its cellular-based system that doesn’t rely on limited-range radio signals.
Robinson explained:
“We could send a play from New Jersey to Texas and it hits just as fast as if you were on the sideline.”
That kind of flexibility and reliability gives coaches total control—regardless of location or personnel limits.
Strategic Implications for Coaches
This isn’t just about going faster. It’s about gaining a strategic edge.
Robinson highlighted several ways teams are already using GoRout to enhance their systems:
- Instant “check with me” adjustments via the hot list feature
- Defensive shifts made in real time—leveling the playing field against tempo teams
- Seamless tempo changes without needing verbal cues or visual signals
- Custom play delivery, whether by personnel groupings or simple wristband codes
“It’s not just more plays—it’s more efficient plays,” Robinson pointed out.
That matters. Whether it’s offense adjusting protections or defense switching into a Cover 2 shell with one click, Gridiron opens the door to smarter, more adaptable football.
What Coaches Can Expect
GoRout prides itself on a support-first mindset. Every member of their team—from sales to customer service—is a former football coach.
“We built this by coaches, for coaches,” Robinson said. “This isn’t a tech product. It’s an efficiency product.”
Installation is simple. Play sheets are uploaded via spreadsheet, and the system is fully customizable to each program’s terminology and workflow. Whether you outfit one player or all 11, the flexibility is built in.
And this isn’t theoretical. The Liberty League already tested the system during the 2023 season. Their feedback helped shape what GoRout Gridiron is today—battle-tested and ready for prime time.
Final Thought: A Strategic Shift, Not Just a Tech Upgrade
This is bigger than convenience. This is a strategic transformation.
“The anxiety on game day is all about whether your players got the call,” said Robinson. “We’re eliminating that.”
In a game where one second can decide an outcome, efficiency is everything. With GoRout Gridiron, coaches now have a secure, instant, and flexible way to communicate with their entire team.
Get the Game-Changing GoRout Gridiron:
Texas high school football coaches: Digital wristbands are now approved for play calling purposes in-game for the 2025 season. Last year, GoRout Gridiron became the only wearable solution to ever be used for a full season of play in the NCAA. It allows coaches to instantly send plays to their players’ devices with no huddles, no confusion, and no delays. Gridiron meets all UIL guidelines and keeps your team moving faster and playing smarter.
Sign up using code “coordinator” for 25% off setup fees at gorout.com/podcast.
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