Big Sky football coaches weigh AI benefits and limits ahead of season

During the Big Sky football kickoff weekend, UC Davis coach Tim Plough warned that artificial intelligence, already flagged by Major League Baseball for misuse, could soon appear in football strategy. Coaches across the league report that AI helps with recruiting, practice design, film breakdown and even generating statistical scouting reports, as described by Montana’s Bobby Kennedy and Eastern Washington’s offensive coordinator Marc Anderson.

However, they also caution that the sport’s complexity—injuries, player fatigue and mental toughness—cannot be fully captured by algorithms. Players like Northern Colorado defensive lineman Blake Weslin prefer making their own choices rather than following AI suggestions. Head coaches DeLane Fitzgerald and Ed Lamb expressed skepticism about AI directing playcalls, emphasizing the need for human judgment on the field.