SEC introduces comprehensive player availability reporting system: How will it work each week?

Despite its notoriously secretive football coaches, the SEC has implemented a comprehensive NFL-style system for reporting player availability.

The system goes much further than that of the Big Ten, the only other power conference with an availability reporting system. However, the Big Ten only requires teams to announce who is and is not available two hours before kickoff of each game.

The SEC plan, which has been in the works for some time, was announced Thursday afternoon. It will only cover conference games, of which there are none this week, but the following rules will apply starting next week:

• • Each team must submit an availability report for each player three days before a conference game. If a team plays on Saturday, it must submit the report on Wednesday.
  • Daily updates are required thereafter, including two days before the game, the day before the game and then 90 minutes before kick-off.
  • In the three days leading up to the game, each player on the list is categorized as available, probable, questionable, doubtful or out.
  • For the matchday report, players are categorised as available, eliminated or with a game time decision.

The availability reports will be posted on the SEC's website for the public and media to view, a big change from years of secrecy surrounding violations. The SEC will also fine teams if their reports are found not to be “accurate and timely.” The first fine is $25,000. For a second violation, that doubles to $50,000, and for a third violation, it increases to $100,000.

The main difference between the SEC's new system and the NFL's is that the SEC does not require teams to disclose the type of injury. Otherwise, it is largely similar to the system the NFL has used for years.

This, however, did not come against the resistance of football coaches, who have said for years that they are in favor of a system as long as it applies to everyone. Georgia coach Kirby Smart was the latest to say so on Tuesday night, when he confirmed that he had been told such a system was to be announced.

“We follow the rules they give us. They're the same as the NFL. They've been doing this for years,” Smart said. “And it takes the pressure off our kids when people try to reach out to them and get information for betting sites. There's no point in having accurate information. So if it protects our kids, I'm all for it.”

The reporting system will also include basketball and baseball, with reports submitted the night before each conference game and then updated on game day.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has been pushing for such a system for several years because of concerns that players may seek information about injuries or suspensions that is not publicly available.

“The availability reporting policy is intended to reduce pressure from outside entities seeking information about participation and represents a commitment by our 16 institutions to provide greater transparency to support efforts to protect our student-athletes and the integrity of the competition,” Sankey said in a statement Thursday.

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(Photo: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)