You Be The Coach: What Is Your Winning Strategy?

Let's say you've been named the head coach of a football program; the classification or level is unimportant. You quickly realize that you only have a small number of good athletes on your team, the rest are of average athletic ability. As a coach, you have a choice between putting your best athletes on offense, and hoping you can outscore the opposition in track meet football games, or put your best athletes on defense, hope you can stop the opposition from scoring, keep the game close, and maybe you can win some games late off of turnovers and some luck. Which option do you choose? What is your rationale for your strategy?

In this situation, I would argue to put your best athletes on offense, and score as much and as often as you can. My rationale is simple: Offense and scoring is entertaining, and with a squad with average talent, you may not be winning many games, but you can be entertaning and give the fans their money's worth. If you put all your talent on defense, you might have some close games, but if your defense gets tired and gives up some late scores, that 7-0 game heading into the 4th quarter can look like a 21-0 blowout at game end. Fans don't want to watch blowouts, but they do like being entertained. At least an offense that moves the ball and scores points will give fans something to talk about and look forward to, and gives them a reason to come see the next game. While I enjoy watching an outstanding defense play, not all fans are as easily entertained as I am.

Which would you choose?