Dan McKenna, the special teams coordinator at Methodist University (Fayetteville, N.C.), recently joined the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast where he discussed the importance of special teams—and utilizing starters on those units.

McKenna believes there is a place for every starter on at least specials team, with the exception of the starting quarterback and offensive linemen.

By finding a spot for starters to contribute on at least one particular special teams unit, it keeps top athletes on the field without overworking them.

“Linebackers, defensive linemen, defensive backs, all skill guys definitely should have a place on at least one special team,” McKenna said. “[Special teams] gives them a break but still getting that high level performance play out of them.”

McKenna believes that placing starters on special teams also drives competition among players.

If starters are out there giving it their all on special teams, it reminds every athlete on the team that special teams is no time to slouch.

“Players are thinking, ‘I’ve got a lot of competition to go against because I know I’m going against those starting guys.’ That plays into establishing that team culture.”

Daily competition is a huge piece to building culture in many programs. When it also helps elevate a program’s special teams units, it can be a win-win.

Listen to McKenna’s full interview on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast here.