Life of a Video Guy

Walking down the hallway inside the Iowa Football Complex I was asked about the recent video exchange among Michigan State and Ohio State. I first heard of the scenario late Saturday night after receiving the newspaper link in a text from my friend, Matt Harper at Michigan State. He filled me in from both sides as he heard much from Mark Quisenberry at Ohio State earlier in the day. Mark called me the next day to make sure I had my facts straight as well as making sure I can continue to trust a guy who has been in the conference for over 10 years without anything like this on his resume.

The story of video being doctored was being accused of by a Michigan State coach to the Ohio State football program. Those who spoke on the matter were coaches of each team. But neither video guy had comment and we were led to believe the story coming from those who didn't have a direct effect on the trade video.

As recently as Monday, Washington State football coach, Mike Leach spoke of their video and how he doesn't "know which buttons to push." He went on to talk about how video has changed, but not in the ways many who share my profession would talk of today. We would discuss how video has evolved with quality through technology. But Leach discussed how the video used to have shots of girls in the stands at different points during the game. But he doesn't give credit where credit is due - to his video guy.

Video guys tend to like their position of being behind the camera, rather than being the focus of attention. Quisenberry and Harper weren't quoted in the article, but they would be the most knowledgeable to speak of the rules of exchange. They could say that the Big Ten Game Management Manual would tell you that all pre-snap shifts, trades and motions must be in the video. Each could also tell you that all teams in the Big Ten shoot their own video.  And each could tell you that we are the lone staff member of each program that needs to work with their opposing video coordinator throughout the year, and shoot next to them on game day. I can't think of any staff member that needs to maintain a professional manner in front of their opponent on game day.

We have our differences, and our ways to get the job done. But if we don't work with one another, neither of us can do our job.