To go or not to go? That is the question all football head coaches must ask themselves in fourth-down situations. Deciding whether to risk going for the conversion on fourth down can be a game-changing factor. If the play succeeds, the coach is a hero; if it fails, it could cost a team the win; if the team punts, there will always be that big “what if” hanging overhead.
It came as a surprise this past Saturday when Virginia coach Al Groh tried for the first down in several such situations. Groh is usually very conservative and rarely risks turning the ball over on downs; however, this weekend’s victory against Richmond saw the Cavaliers trying to convert many more fourth downs than usual. Overall, Virginia was 1-for-4 in fourth-down conversions Saturday. While five attempts may not seem like many, last season, Al Groh gave the nod on fourth down a total of 14 times in 13 games. All in all, last Saturday’s game seemed a bit out of character for Groh.
“Whatever Coach says, we do, and I’m always backing him on whatever he does. I feel like whatever decision he makes is right,” redshirt freshman wide receiver Jared Green said. “I love it, because like I said, I love the challenge. Fourth down, he says ‘Go for it,’ then we get juiced and we go for it. We looked good going for it [Saturday].”
No matter the situation, head coaches have tough decisions to make when that number four appears on the scoreboard. Sometimes, it is a no-brainer: fourth-and-goal with 10 seconds left against a team with a sizeable lead is such a situation. Generally, though, a coach must weigh the risks along with the reward.
“It depends on where the ball is at; it depends on how well my defense is playing against their offense; and it just depends on if you’re trying to send a mindset to your players,” Richmond coach Mike London said. “I’m quite sure [for Virginia] it was a mindset like, ‘We’re going to get this first down no matter where the ball is,’ and that’s the head coach’s call on that. Would I do the same thing? I don’t know. It just all depends on the criteria that I just set forth.”
One intangible to take into account is the team itself. Would a failed conversion attempt dishearten players? Are they feeling confident going into the attempt? One thing is certain: Once a decision is made, there is no going back.
“There’s an old saying that the time to worry is before you place the bet,” Groh said. “I’ll leave the second-guessers to everybody who’s not standing on the grass. There are plenty of those; why should I add to the number?”
Groh’s decisions Saturday, while out of character, did not throw his team off balance. Confidence in the coach’s decision can make or break the fourth-down try.
“He’s not [known for attempting the conversion], but I wasn’t surprised,” Green said. “I just felt like, ‘Let’s just go get this, man.’”
Groh’s stinginess on fourth down is legendary, so The Cavalier Daily asked if he had a system, superstition or method for deciding when it is the right time to go.
“I don’t know if we can actually say that we have a policy with [the fourth downs], but we are certainly interested in [going for it on fourth down],” Groh said. “Unique circumstances ... what we might need, how much is needed, those are all factors in making the decision. There are so many variables that there can’t be one certain pattern, but it would be nice if there was. It would make things a lot easier.”
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