Most people like shiny new things. Jewelry, cars, toys, and for college football fans: New faces! Why boo your own team of college students? Make a mistake, put in the new guy. Win, but don’t score a lot of points, put in the new guy! This is insane! College football fans seemingly know little about the relationships that coaches have to build with players, or the relationships that players build with each other to better the team. Coaches have to be careful not to create a “shiny new objects” reputation. Fans don’t understand that, but players do. Yes, every player should think he is the best, and should be in the game. Players should also be confident that, after dedicating themselves to a program and having success; they are not going to be passed over for the next highly ranked player for making a mistake. That would just confirm our fascination with shiny new objects.
