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When Bronco Mendenhall took over as head coach two years ago, he made a big deal about bringing back all the old traditions. In 2006, he brought back the old BYU tradition of winning conference titles.
With one of the nation's most efficient offensive machines and a swarming defense that never got enough recognition, BYU joined Wisconsin as one of the best teams not to get into the BCS. In case you missed it (and considering the Mountain West's lousy television package, you did), the Cougars won their final 10 games of the year and came within a bomb of a field goal by Arizona's Nick Folk and a two-overtime heartbreaker against Boston College of getting all the love Boise State is now receiving.
The system is in place for success and the coaching will still be phenomenal, but...
BYU Cougars 2007 Schedule
Head coach: Bronco Mendenhall
3rd year: 17-8
Sept. 1 Arizona
Sept. 8 at UCLA
Sept. 15 at Tulsa
Sept. 22 Air Force
Sept. 29 at New Mexico
Oct. 13 at UNLV
Oct. 20 Eastern Wash.
Oct. 27 at San Diego State
Nov. 3 Colorado State
Nov. 8 TCU
Nov. 17 at Wyoming
Nov. 24 Utah
Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.--John Quincy Adams
True enough on the headstart. And "see" me working...(Flamefans NSA?)
Although here are some very interesting articles. The first one is from an institutional standpoint and speaks of emerging from "an educational adolescence" in growth. The remaining links show BYU's Rocco-esque turnaround of the program (both on the field and in relation to the unique environment the institution presents.) Check the links, there is some good stuff there.
I began my 1980 remarks with this status report, which we can now compare with BYU’s current standing: [circa 1990 or so]
After emerging from its educational adolescence, BYU has now achieved the status of a young adult in the world society of universities. We are mature in the range of our activities, but not yet fully mature in the quality of most of our programs in the scholarly standing of a majority of our faculty. . . .
It will take an accumulation of accomplishments before we have attained the standing prophesied by the First Presidency nine years ago: “Because of its unique combination of revealed and secular learning, Brigham Young University is destined to become a leader among the great universities of the world...”
Admissions
In my commencement address ten years ago, I described BYU’s unique admissions challenge:
If missionary baptisms continue at their current rate . . . the cumulative effect of current populations and conversions will increase BYU’s total applications by about 40–50 percent by the early 1990s. . . .
Many who are desirous of attending BYU in the 1990s will be turned away. The designation of those who will not be admitted will be extremely painful since most of these young men and women, like those who are admitted, will also be worthy and qualified for college study.
As we enter the decade of the nineties, BYU’s admissions policies are, in fact, among the most difficult problems facing the university. During the past year President Lee and his colleagues have had long discussions with the board of trustees on those policies. Those discussions have not yet concluded, and when they do, any new policy directions will be made known under the direction of the board, and all of us will be bound by them.
Due in large part to a number of players becoming embroiled in Honor Code and legal issues, BYU's football recruiting class of 2004 has been decimated.
When the school announced the signing of 21 high school seniors and junior college transfers last February, coaches raved about the skill and speed of those incoming athletes and it appeared to be a class filled with promise.
Now, the Cougars are trying to fill a huge void.
Besides the loss of personnel, BYU's 2004 recruiting class will have a long-lasting impact on the program — particularly the way it recruits players.
"The whole recruiting emphasis has changed," Tidwell said. Those recruits who officially sign with BYU today have experienced this new, more thorough approach...
University chaplain James Slaughter and dean of students Vernon Heperi, Tidwell said, meet with incoming recruits to ensure that they understand the Honor Code and are committed to living it.
"To say we'll have 100 percent of the players avoiding mistakes every year would be crazy," Tidwell said. "But we're doing everything we can to catch problems before they get here. We're talking to (players') school principals, their athletic directors and school counselors. If the player is not LDS, we talk to their pastors. It's a more thorough process."
Although non-LDS, he noted BYU’s stringent Honor Code was a positive factor for him and his family. “BYU has the kind of environment my mom wants me to be in. She says football will come and go, but my college degrees will always be with me. I know this is not a patty-cake school and I have to take care of business as far as academics go – and also get the job done on the field. You can’t pass up an opportunity like BYU
Like all other recruits, he said he was flabbergasted by BYU’s newest indoor and athletic facilities. “When I visited Oregon, I thought they were the best I’ve ever seen, but this is going to be even better.
Both players are non-LDS.
“Hopefully, we’ll help bring back the winning tradition you guys have there (BYU). I just felt BYU was the perfect situation for me. I just loved it out there; the whole environment. I like the support system the most. I was really impressed with the fans I met at the (USC-BYU) basketball game.
Mendenhall...has been a non-stop recruiter and shored up a plan to target recruits who can play and survive BYU requirements.
After losing seven players from last year's recruiting class, plus hyped sophomore lineman Ofa Mohetau, it won't be easy. It is tougher when Mendenhall frankly upped the ante, asking every existing player to step up physically, academically and spiritually. And if they don't, they're welcome to find a more comfortable nest.
In a matter of days, Mendenhall "changed the philosophy of recruiting at BYU," senior associate athletic director Tom Holmoe said.
One idea, which was all Mendenhall, was to have LDS recruits meet with the dean of students, Vernon Heperi and non-LDS recruits to set down with new university chaplain James Slaughter...a clear message is sent - the code is serious stuff, get on board or go somewhere else.
"Some recruits have responded and liked this, others came to realize this isn't the place for them," Holmoe said. "But one thing Bronco is going to do is make this a positive, a selling point, that this is what BYU is and should do..."
Holmoe said Mendenhall "articulated" a vision of BYU football in coming months...
..Mendenhall's plan centers on three keys.[First] Players have to fit; that means fit tight like a glove. Second, it's a contract -- BYU has to want the recruit bad and the recruit has to really want BYU and identify with the history, love its history and want to be a part of it. "Don't come here and be a mercenary."
Third, BYU standards are something every faculty, staff, coach and player needs to commit to and it should be a strength, not problem. "This is our specialty that not everybody else has. Instead of putting it in a bushel, we're going to get it up front. If it turns people off, find somewhere else, but for those who embrace it, it is attractive."
Now, having said that and described what many see as an ivory tower, mistakes will be made. It happens all the time. There have been BYU folks as high as the vice president level topple on that campus over the years.
Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.--John Quincy Adams
- By olldflame