A few weeks from now, it may look like the wrong choice. But
it’s the one Karl Dorrell had to make.
On Saturday afternoon, the UCLA coach finally followed through on his pledge by naming Drew Olson the starting quarterback for Saturday’s contest at San Diego State.
It was a decision Dorrell should have made weeks earlier because of a statement he made months earlier.
Flashback to December, when Olson was carted off the field in the Las Vegas Bowl with a torn ACL and MCL. Despite the severity of the injury and the realization that heralded Ben Olson would be arriving in Westwood in 2005, Dorrell gave Drew Olson the vote of confidence that the starting position was his to lose.
Fast-forward to the present, where Drew Olson has done everything that could have been asked of him. He recovered well ahead of schedule from one of the most devastating injuries in sports. He improved his arm strength, mobility, and knowledge of the offense. And most importantly, he had the best fall camp of any of the quarterbacks.
Until Saturday, all it had earned him was uncertainty. The longer Dorrell delayed naming a starter, the longer Drew Olson wondered about what he hadn’t done. Was his best camp as a Bruin not good enough? Was the improvement he made as a junior forgotten? Did his coach’s vote of confidence carry no meaning?
On Friday, Drew Olson openly voiced his frustration, telling reporters that he wasn’t sure what was going on with the situation. One day later, Dorrell finally responded.
“Drew will be our starter for the game,” Dorrell said. “We’re hopeful that Ben will be able to play.”
The statement was much less definitive than the one made in December, largely because Dorrell is smart enough not to tie his own hands twice.
By committing to Drew Olson back in December, Dorrell had essentially backed himself into a corner. He had bound himself to a quarterback who performed beyond expectations in the off-season. Handing him the starting job on Saturday was only fair.
Ben Olson may possess more raw talent and potential. He is the more likely candidate to eventually restore UCLA’s program. Yet a program can not be restored unless its players have faith in the coaching staff.
Had Dorrell reneged on his statement and given Ben Olson the starting role, it would have undermined his credibility. The frustration Drew Olson was beginning to vent would have boiled over. Other teammates competing for spots may have also questioned the forthrightness of their coach.
With Saturday’s announcement, Dorrell has staved off that concern. Placing the offense in Drew Olson’s hands on the first series is a reward for his dedication to the program. It’s a signal, albeit a late one, that Dorrell honors the commitments he makes.
Should Drew Olson struggle in the early portion of the season, he’s well-aware that he could lose the position in a heartbeat. Dorrell has now carefully couched his support for Drew Olson by expressing the need for Ben Olson to gain experience early. There aren’t any illusions of permanence.
“This is only half the battle,” Drew Olson said. “I have to still progress day-in and day-out and win games or I won’t be the starter down the road.”
Dorrell has started down a winding, uncertain road with his quarterbacks. He’s made the path more difficult than he’s had to and he’s taken his time getting started. But at least his first step is in the right direction.
Finley is a 2005 football columnist. E-mail him at afinley@media.ucla.edu.