Randy Sanders Must Not Delay In Naming ETSU’s Starting Quarterback

Nobody may know who the starting quarterback will be for East Tennessee State this season but we do know one thing.

Head coach Randy Sanders should not try to wait until the last minute to name a starter.

Admittedly he didn’t last year, though he chose the wrong player. Logan Marchi was named ETSU’s starting quarterback six days prior to the season opener in 2018, thus giving the Buccaneers a full week to prepare for a game knowing who their quarterback would be, just like normal.

But there’s become a disturbing trend among college coaches lately to not name a new starting quarterback until game time on opening day.

And in addition to making the coach look indecisive, the team look weak, potentially sabotaging a quarterback’s leadership ability and taking the fans support for granted, it just hasn’t worked out well when coaches have resisted naming a starter.

Take Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino in 2015. He refused to name a starter between Lamar Jackson and Reggie Bonnafon, even when asked by a sideline reporter in the moments prior to kickoff in their season opener against Auburn.

In hindsight it seems comical. Jackson is a Heisman Trophy winner and the starting quarterback of the defending AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens. Bonnafon, meanwhile, is now a backup running back for the Carolina Panthers.