The Wake Forest radio analyst Tommy Elrod was fired following revelations that he gave inside information to Wake Forest foes to help them prepare for the Demon Deacons. Elrod, who was formerly a Wake Forest player and coach, started working as a radio analyst after he was fired from the coaching staff at Wake. This story is especially relevant in Mississippi, where former Ole Miss defensive back Harry Harrison and former Mississippi State quarterback Matt Wyatt handle radio analyst duties at respective universities. A side note: I laughed out loud when someone asked me if Wyatt, Harrison, or Roberts would betray such an honorable university. They are all fiercely loyal. You can imagine that the Wake Forest folks felt the same about Elrod. Elrod not only played for Wake Forest but also worked as a grad assistant before joining the full-time staff. Wyatt said it best: “For someone with experience playing the game and a coaching background to have done this… For someone who has been part of it and knows the pain and concussions, the bones that have broken, and for someone who still betrays his school, it’s just inconceivable to me. It is impossible to imagine. Harrison agreed. He said, “It all boils down to loyalty & integrity.” Roberts: “It is a sad state, difficult to imagine.” USM is our family. Our coaches treat us as family. The week before the game, we meet with the coordinators. The plan is clear, but there’s no way. Could I help my opponent? Yes. Would I? Yes, but I doubt it.” There are many ways an announcer can help a foe depending on their access to coaches and practices. Wyatt: “First, it is important to give personnel information to an opponent. If Dan (Mullen), or an assistant, tells me that we will have a key starter on offense or defense and that it gets to the opponents with four days to plan, that is an amazing asset for the opponent. It’s not hard to understand why coaches keep such injuries secret. It is possible that a Bulldog cornerback who is particularly skilled would be injured or suspended during a game and the opponent learns on Monday. This could alter the game plan. The same would apply to a wide receiver or key offensive tackle. Wyatt stated, “That kind knowledge is like gold.” Here’s another scenario. Let’s suppose Hugh Freeze throws a Hugh Freeze Special, which is a trick play during a week against LSU. It involves a double pass, where the quarterback throws to an open receiver behind the line. The receiver then throws to another receiver further down the field. Rebel fans, you’ve seen it. Harrison observes the practice over and over again and mentions it with a friend of LSU’s coaching staff. Is that not a way to help LSU? Harrison stated, “Ofcourse it would,” Harrison added. Harrison said, “But it wouldn’t happen.” “But it would never happen. My loyalty to Ole Miss is very deep.” Wyatt raises another point that I don’t think is being discussed enough. This game is only possible if two people play it. Elrod’s information would have been useless if someone didn’t accept it. We know that Louisville did. This is what made Tom Jurich, Louisville’s athletic director,’s statement so absurd. Did you see it? Jurich stated in the statement that “among the communication were some plays that were sent, and then shared with the defensive staff.” “None” of these special plays were used during the game. The defense prepares for similar formations every week as part of their regular game plan. “Any additional information that might have been shared was not something our staff hadn’t already seen during Wake Forest’s preparations for this game. The material was not given any further attention.” Louisville, are you the victim? You’re the only thing that is remotely funny about this whole situation. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think. Republish this Story