Substitutions during close games

Coach John,

This is a very intelligent question that requires a lot of thought. Just as in any other facet of Football, there is certainly more than one correct way of doing anything. My personal philosophy revolves around the following concept. As a long time QB coach/Head Coach, have often been confronted with the dilemma of having two really good QB's on the roster at the same time. I have never been an advocate of a two QB system, and years ago we were never confronted with this situation as we are today. Todays athletes are super egotists (the really good ones, for the most part) and depending upon what level you coach, really is the determining factor of how best to handle the situation. Take Phil Fulmer at at the Univ. of Tennesee, has two really super QB's and has to be very cognizant of what it will take to keep them both and not have one transfer out if the other guy is selected as # 1. He is playing them both, both doing a good job. IMO, that may work for awhile, but not for ever. There will come a time he will be forced to pick one guy. I said that to say this; the number one guy is going to get the vast majority of the weekly practice reps, the #2 guy's practice time will be reduced working with the first unit. The coach has to go with the guy in practice who will be on the field on game night, agreed? Here is where the crisis begins, the old ego starts getting bent out of shape of the #2 guy. My policy has always been to make the #2 know exactly what it will take to become #1, but also to make him understand that he is, at present,the # 2 guy. He must continue to practice hard, be ready to go in at any moment on game night! He must do his class room study, film breakdown, etc. just as diligently as ever. He must work hard in the weight room, etc. just as he always did. But, FOR THE GOOD OF THE TEAM, HE MUST KEEP HIS EGO IN CHECK! Then, as far as actual playing time on game night, I always try to get him one or two series very early in the game, giving him every opportunity to compete with the first unit around him. Then, no matter if he was hot as a firecracker, or cold as last night's supper, he comes out and the rest of the ball game belongs to the #1 guy without fear of being pulled, it is his to win or lose. The mental state of my number one guy is much more important than the mindset of the # 2 guy. I am not going to shake his confidence by yanking him! Now, I have on occasion, pulled a #1 if he was just cold and not moving the team whatsoever and we needed a spark to get us going, reinserted the #2 guy if he had had a decent one or two series in his earlier opportunity in the game, and just told him " ok, son, this is big opportunity to step up, go out there and show me what you can do." If he goes out and wins the game, he is still the # 2 guy! If he continues to shine in practice, he will be given an extra series or some type of reward for his team contribution. Then, if the #1 guy is faltering, he isn't getting the job done and the # 2 guy is during his brief appearances, it is now time to give the # 2 guy his first start!
That is my personal philosophy. I am sure you will get differing opinions of all kinds on this post. Ultimately, you will have to decide on a method that works best for you, usually trial and error is a great teacher. My reason for getting the #2 guy in early is simply the fact that at that point in the game, a game winning drive, etc. is not as necessary as it will become later in the contest. Best of luck to you.

JC