By Loveth 
It’s been over 25 years since Alabama fans passionately debated: Who should be the starting quarterback — Andrew Zow or Tyler Watts? Former Alabama coach Mike DuBose, now retired, remembers it well. These days, he spends his time walking and mowing the lawn, but he can’t forget the drama of that quarterback shuffle.
Andrew Zow, now working at Clemson as a senior offensive analyst and assistant running backs coach, is busy with youth football camps. Interestingly, it was Dabo Swinney — now Clemson’s head coach — who hired Zow. Swinney also had ties to Watts back in the day, having helped recruit him while coaching receivers at Alabama.
The Zow vs. Watts saga played out between 1999 and 2001. Zow, a strong-armed QB from Florida, took over in 1998 and had a solid year. But by 1999, Watts, a local kid from Pelham, Alabama, was on the rise. That led to DuBose rotating the two QBs every other series — a decision he later admitted wasn’t great.
The players felt the pressure. Zow said it felt like he’d get benched after every mistake. Watts wasn’t sure if they were both starting because they were good or because no one had a clear lead. Still, the team had its moments: Alabama beat Auburn in the 1999 Iron Bowl and crushed Florida in the SEC Championship. But they narrowly lost to Michigan in the Orange Bowl — led by a then-unknown Tom Brady.
By 2000, Zow got married and became a dad. That season, though, was a mess. After some struggles, DuBose switched to Watts, only for Watts to suffer a season-ending knee injury. Zow came back, but Bama finished 3-8. DuBose was fired after the season.
Despite the chaos, both QBs supported each other and grew from the experience. They say no one really taught them how to handle adversity back then — they just figured it out as they went. DuBose now says he didn’t know enough about managing a team, and he understands why he was let go.
In 2001, new coach Dennis Franchione made Watts the starter, as his mobility fit the new offense. But when Watts got hurt again late in the season, Zow stepped up big, leading Bama to an Iron Bowl win and a bowl victory. Watts still praises Zow’s attitude and leadership during that time.
Now, decades later, both men are busy with their families and careers. Watts lives in Hoover, Alabama, runs an insurance business, and works as a radio analyst for Alabama football. He and his wife Jana have four kids. Zow and his wife Amebriss have three grown sons, one of whom is about to start an internship at NASA.
As for DuBose, retirement suits him fine. He reflects on the Zow-Watts years with a mix of regret and pride. And for Alabama fans, it remains one of the most unforgettable QB battles in school history.