KNOXVILLE, Tennessee

When President Donald Trump attends the college football matchup between Texas and Tennessee this Saturday, it might create more than just crowded roads and longer security lines for fans.

The presence of Trump could also impact the game itself, as suggested by Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian earlier this week.

This clash, featuring the top-ranked Longhorns and the No. 14 Volunteers, promises to be one of the most significant games happening this weekend.

Trump will be watching Texas quarterback Arch Manning for the first time at the venue where his uncle Peyton made his mark.

What Trump does and when he does it may be crucial. According to Sarkisian, teams should prepare for potential disruptions in communication between coaches and players whenever Trump enters, exits, or moves around within the stadium.

“They cut the headsets to coaches. They cut headsets for coach-to-player communication,” Sarkisian explained. “So you need a plan for if that happens, and you won’t get any warning. It just stops working.”

And by “anytime,” he means literally any time.

“You have to have a strategy in place if he shows up mid-first quarter, leaves late in the game, or even decides to head to the restroom,” he added.

Impact of a Presidential Visit on Communication

Trump has been to more college football games than any recent president, and he comes to Knoxville during a midterm election season as well as amidst discussions about money’s role in college sports—conversations Congress is trying to sort out.

His attendance spans national championship games, SEC regular-season matches, and the Army-Navy game.

He also made headlines attending NBA Finals and the Daytona 500, even presenting the World Cup trophy to Spain recently.

Last year, he became the first president to attend a Super Bowl, departing after halftime.

The issue of headset communications has become another storyline around his visit. Coaches rely on these headsets during games for play-calling and coordination.

Disruptions can stem from a loud crowd, technical issues, or security measures, complicating matters for teams and their coaching staffs.

Coaches from last season’s College Football Playoff championship recalled how Trump’s movements affected their strategies. For instance, Sarkisian mentioned that when Trump left during the fourth quarter of a close game won by Indiana, it disrupted communication for Miami’s final possession, which ended in a decisive interception.

Besides Sarkisian’s account, Indiana coach Curt Signetti acknowledged there were brief communication lapses during crucial moments of the game as Indiana sought to maintain its lead.

Signetti shared that when Trump exited in the fourth quarter, they missed multiple play calls during a critical stretch.

Though the situation improved after Trump’s departure, the issue remains a talking point among coaches.

The official report on Trump’s movements indicated he left with under eight minutes remaining in the game. The White House has since stated that his exit did not cause communication issues for either team.

“No, President Trump’s departure from the CFP championship in January did not cause headset or comms issues for the teams,” the White House posted on social media.

There’s still some uncertainty regarding whether Trump’s presence at past games, like the Super Bowl, created similar challenges. The NFL has not commented on whether they collaborate with the Secret Service to minimize disruptions.

Increased Security for Trump’s Game Visit

For the noon kickoff on Saturday, University of Tennessee officials have advised fans to arrive “significantly earlier” than usual.

The gates are set to open 30 minutes earlier than customary to accommodate the crowd of over 100,000 people.

Fans can expect the Secret Service to conduct more thorough screenings as they enter, leading to increased wait times as kickoff approaches.

A spokesman for the Longhorns mentioned that the team has not been informed of any changes to their typical arrival time, which is about two and a half hours before kickoff.

However, there’s a bonus for those who arrive early. Fans who get inside the stadium within the first hour of the gates opening will enjoy half-price concessions, including alcohol.