Auburn's Malzahn: New NCAA rule on headset limits 'is a joke'

Auburn's Gus Malzahn followed Nick Saban's lead in expressing his dislike for the NCAA's new rule that limits headsets on coaches.

A day after the Alabama coach said the rule, which limits headsets on the sideline to 20 per team - 15 for coaches - was, "like mouse manure when you're up to your ears in elephant doo-doo," Malzahn didn't mince words in his assessment.

"The 20 headset rule is a joke," Malzahn said, as per ESPN's Alex Scarborough. "There's no doubt about it. I think that's got the ability to hurt our game. That's a really big deal."

Malzahn thinks the rule targets the recent growth of team's support staffs and will have an impact on the charting of plays and sideline signaling.

"Most teams in college football are going to have off-field guys on a headset at least charting or doing something like that," the veteran coach said. "And then you talk about the signaling aspect ... it affects the game."

Tigers fans will get their first look at the new ruling when Auburn opens its season on Sept. 1 against Washington.