Don't disagree with the first part, but the problem is, it's generally the people who aren't remotely connected with it that foot the bill. As for the second, not even remotely buying that. At about the 4 minute mark every good coach I've ever known turns to staff and says "make sure we get everybody in". And quite often they make a cool deal out of it, by using a time out to let starters, especially seniors, come off to a big applause. Not only is that a great memory for the kids that get to play in the championship game, but for the better/older kids themselves, right? And what about the opponent? Maybe I'm getting my teeth kicked in and would like to sub, but against a 3000 yard rusher and some bad-ash blockers? My 90 lb freshman against the Zutavern kid or someone similar? No, this ALL gets put on the tab of the HC. Besides, he likes the attention it seems. He did ask for it, after all. I would also argue that from a long term view, it's a horrible, horrible idea to not get every kid into a game when it's a blowout. That is the biggest way to not get kids to go out that I can imagine.