A look at the schools that are overlooked by the ESPNs of the world.


Friday, March 15, 2013

Brigham Young Football: A Brief History


Brigham Young Cougars:


First Season: 1922

Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhal (8 seasons, 72-28)

Bowl Record: 13-17-1 (Fiesta, Tangerine, Holiday 11X, Citrus, Freedom 2X, All American, Aloha, Copper, Cotton, Liberty 2X, Motor City, Las Vegas 5X, New Mexico, Armed Forces, Poinsettia)

Playing Field: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Capacity of 64.045

Conference Affiliations:
  • Rocky Mountain Conference: 1922-1937
  • Mountain States Athletic Conference: 1938-1961
  • Western Athletic Conference: 1962-1998
  • Mountain West Conference: 1999-2010
  • Independent: 2011-Current

Attendance: 62,229 (5-year average)

Claimed National Titles: One
  • 1985 I-A National Championship

Conference Titles: 23
  • 1965: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1974: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1976: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1977: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1978: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1979: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1980: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1981: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1982: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1983: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1984: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1985: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1989: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1990: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1991: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1992: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1993: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1995: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1996: Western Athletic Conference
  • 1999: Mountain West Conference
  • 2000: Mountain West Conference
  • 2001: Mountain West Conference
  • 2006: Mountain West Conference
  • 2007: Mountain West Conference

Trophy Games:
  • Old Wagon Wheel (Utah State): 45-34-3
  • Holy War (Utah): 31-53-4

Record Versus Rivals (20+ meetings):
  • Utah (88 meetings): 31-53-4
  • Utah State (82 meetings): 45-34-3
  • San Diego State (36 meetings): 28-7-1
  • Hawaii (29 meetings): 21-8
  • Air Force: 24-7
  • Arizona: 9-12-1
  • Arizona State: 7-20
  • Colorado State: 39-27-3
  • New Mexico: 45-14-1
  • UTEP: 29-7-1
  • Wyoming: 44-30-3

Year-By-Year Record:
  • 1920s: 19-31-4
  • 1930s: 49-33-7
  • 1940s: 21-40-5
  • 1950s: 35-59-6
  • 1960s: 42-57-2
  • 1970: 3-8
  • 1971: 5-6
  • 1972: 7-4
  • 1973: 5-6
  • 1974: 7-4-1
  • 1975: 6-5
  • 1976: 9-3
  • 1977: 9-2
  • 1978: 9-4
  • 1979: 11-1
  • 1980: 12-1
  • 1981: 11-2
  • 1982: 8-4
  • 1983: 11-1
  • 1984: 13-0
  • 1985: 11-3
  • 1986 8-5
  • 1987 9-4
  • 1988 9-4
  • 198910-3
  • 1990 10-3
  • 1991 8-3-2
  • 1992: 8-5
  • 1993: 6-6
  • 1994: 10-3
  • 1995: 7-4
  • 1996: 14-1
  • 1997: 6-5
  • 1998: 9-5
  • 1999: 8-4
  • 2000: 6-6
  • 2001: 12-2
  • 2002: 5-7
  • 2003: 4-8
  • 2004: 5-6
  • 2005: 6-6
  • 2006: 11-2
  • 2007: 11-2
  • 2008: 10-3
  • 2009: 11-2
  • 2010: 7-6
  • 2011: 10-3
  • 2012: 8-5

Coaching History/Program History:

Brigham Young is known as one of the more decorated Non-AQ teams in all of college football. The Cougars willingly dropped conference affiliation and are one of the handful of teams that can be a financially viable program without conference affiliation in football.

While BYU has been known as a historically important team, the Cougars were just another run of the mill program from their beginning in 1922 till the early 1970s with the hiring of a coach now synonymous with BYU football, LaVell Edwards.

LaVell Edwards was an assistant for the Cougars from 1962-1971 living and dying with the highs and lows of the program and even being a part of the first conference championship team in BYU history winning the WAC in 1965. The Cougars never reached those heights again in the 1960s and struggled to losing records in 1970 and 1971 as well.

After the disappointing 1971 season, BYU made a change hiring Edwards as the new head coach of the program replacing coach Tom Hudspeth. Edwards saw moderate success immediately with a 25-19-1 record in his first four seasons at the helms capped by a WAC title in the 1974 season on the back of a 7-4-1 record. Starting in 1975, Edwards turned a budding contender into a bonafide powerhouse program winning no fewer than 8 games from 1975-1992 with 14 WAC titles during that run. The crown jewel of those seasons was winning the 1984 national title with a 13-0 overall record. The 1993 season saw a dip in form at 6-6 but Edwards’ 15th WAC title as head coach. 1994 saw Edwards finally relinquish the WAC crown despite going 10-3 on the season and ending the season ranked #10 in the coaches poll and #18 in the AP poll. Edwards won two more WAC titles as well as the very first Mountain West Title before retiring in 2000. Edwards ended his career at BYU with a 257-101-3 overall record including 19 conference titles (18 WAC, 1 MWC), 22 bowl berths and a national title. Edwards had 12 teams end the season ranked in the top 25 with 4 teams breaking the top ten nationally.

On the heels of Edwards retiring, the Cougars went after Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Gary Crowton to take Edwards’ spot. Crowton immediately led the Cougars to a 12-2 record and top 25 finish in the 2001 season. Sadly, that was the high point for Crowton as the Cougars went 5-7, 4-8, and 5-6 in the three following seasons before Crowton was let go. Crowton ended with a 26-23 overall record at BYU.

Looking to get back to winning ways after the disappointment of Crowton, the Cougars hired from within promoting defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall. Mendenhall has been a very impressive hire for the Cougars making bowls in each of his 8 years on the job capped by a four-year stretch in which the Cougars won no fewer than 10 games and finished no lower than 25th nationally. Mendenhall is 74-29 overall at BYU and enters his 9th season on the job in 2013.

NFL Players:
  • Andersen, Jason (1999 - 2002)
  • Anderson, Brad (1984 - 1985)
  • Andrus, Lou (1967 - 1967)
  • Archibald, Ben (2005 - 2005)
  • Aupiu, Dave (1987 - 1987)
  • Baker, Wayne (1975 - 1975)
  • Beck, John (2007 - 2008)
  • Bellini, Mark (1987 - 1988)
  • Bergeson, Eric (1990 - 1990)
  • Berry, Rex (1951 - 1956)
  • Bockwoldt, Colby (2004 - 2007)
  • Brady, Phil (1969 - 1969)
  • Brown, Clay (1982 - 1983)
  • Brumfield, Scott (1993 - 1997)
  • Brundage, Dewey (1954 - 1954)
  • Buck, Jason (1987 - 1993)
  • Carter, Virgil (1968 - 1976)
  • Chamberlain, Garth (1945 - 1945)
  • Christensen, Todd (1979 - 1988)
  • Coats, Daniel (2007 - 2010)
  • Denney, John (2005 - 2010)
  • Denney, Ryan (2002 - 2010)
  • Detmer, Ty (1993 - 2003)
  • Ehin, Chuck (1983 - 1987)
  • Elewonibi, Mo (1992 - 1995)
  • Ena, Justin (2002 - 2005)
  • Eyre, Nick (1981 - 1981)
  • Farasopoulas, Chris (1971 - 1974)
  • Felt, Dick (1960 - 1966)
  • Francisco, Aaron (2005 - 2010)
  • Frisch, Byron (2001 - 2002)
  • Gouveia, Kurt (1987 - 1999)
  • Gravelle, Gordon (1972 - 1979)
  • Gray, Derwin (1993 - 1998)
  • Hall, Travis (1995 - 2005)
  • Hansen, Bruce (1987 - 1987)
  • Hanshaw, Tim (1997 - 1998)
  • Heimuli, Lakei (1987 - 1987)
  • Hoke, Chris (2004 - 2010)
  • Holmoe, Tom (1983 - 1989)
  • Howard, Paul (1973 - 1986)
  • Hubbard, Dave (1977 - 1977)
  • Hudson, Gordon (1986 - 1986)
  • Hunter, John (1989 - 1992)
  • Ieremia, Mekeli (1978 - 1978)
  • Jackson, Scott (2006 - 2006)
  • Jenkins, Ronney (2000 - 2003)
  • Johnson, Dustin (1999 - 1999)
  • Johnson, Lee (1985 - 2002)
  • Jolley, Doug (2002 - 2006)
  • Kapele, John (1960 - 1962)
  • Kaufusi, Steve (1989 - 1990)
  • Kehl, Bryan (2008 - 2010)
  • Keim, Mike (1991 - 1995)
  • Keisel, Brett (2002 - 2010)
  • Kellermeyer, Doug (1987 - 1987)
  • Knight, Shawn (1987 - 1989)
  • Kozlowski, Glen (1987 - 1992)
  • Kozlowski, Mike (1979 - 1986)
  • Lane, Eric (1981 - 1987)
  • Lewis, Chad (1997 - 2005)
  • Lyman, Jeff (1972 - 1972)
  • Mahe, Reno (2003 - 2007)
  • Matau, Chris (1987 - 1987)
  • Mathews, Jason (1994 - 2004)
  • Matich, Trevor (1985 - 1996)
  • Mcfarlane, Nyle (1960 - 1960)
  • Mcguire, Kaipo (1997 - 1998)
  • Mcmahon, Jim (1982 - 1996)
  • Mctyer, Tim (1997 - 1999)
  • Mendenhall, Mat (1981 - 1982)
  • Mili, Itula (1998 - 2006)
  • Mitchell, Brian (1991 - 1993)
  • Moore, Larry (1998 - 2005)
  • Morrell, Kyle (1986 - 1986)
  • Morris, Rob (2000 - 2007)
  • Nead, Spencer (2003 - 2003)
  • Nielsen, Gifford (1978 - 1983)
  • Nilsen, Reed (1947 - 1947)
  • O'bard, Ronnie (1985 - 1985)
  • Oates, Bart (1985 - 1995)
  • Oates, Brad (1976 - 1981)
  • Odle, Phil (1968 - 1970)
  • Olsen, Hans (2001 - 2001)
  • Olsen, Orrin (1976 - 1976)
  • Parker, Robert (1987 - 1987)
  • Patera, Dennis (1968 - 1968)
  • Patterson, Craig (1991 - 1991)
  • Pilgrim, Evan (1996 - 2000)
  • Pochman, Owen (2001 - 2003)
  • Poppinga, Brady (2005 - 2010)
  • Redd, Glen (1981 - 1986)
  • Reid, Gabe (2003 - 2006)
  • Reid, Spencer (1998 - 1999)
  • Rice, Rodney (1989 - 1990)
  • Richards, Golden (1973 - 1979)
  • Ring, Bill (1981 - 1986)
  • Robison, Burle (1935 - 1935)
  • Rogers, Steve (1987 - 1987)
  • Shell, Todd (1984 - 1987)
  • Sikahema, Vai (1986 - 1993)
  • Staggs, Jeff (1967 - 1974)
  • Stroth, Vince (1985 - 1988)
  • Tahi, Naufahu (2006 - 2010)
  • Tait, John (1999 - 2008)
  • Thomas, Rodney (1988 - 1991)
  • Titensor, Glen (1981 - 1988)
  • Tiumalu, Casey (1987 - 1987)
  • Tuipulotu, Peter (1992 - 1992)
  • Ulufale, Mike (1996 - 1996)
  • Unutoa, Morris (1996 - 2002)
  • Van Valkenberg, Pete (1970 - 1974)
  • Watkins, Todd (2008 - 2009)
  • Wheat, Warren (1989 - 1991)
  • White, Leon (1986 - 1993)
  • Whiting, Teag (2002 - 2002)
  • Whittingham, Cary (1987 - 1987)
  • Whittingham, Fred (1964 - 1971)
  • Whittingham, Kyle (1987 - 1987)
  • Willis, Jamal (1995 - 1995)
  • Wilson, Marc (1980 - 1991)
  • Wong, Joe (2003 - 2003)
  • Young, Scott (2006 - 2008)
  • Young, Steve (1985 - 1999) HOF

College Hall of Fame Members:
  • Gifford Nielsen, QB (1973-1977)
  • Marc Wilson, QB (1976-1979)
  • Jim McMahon, QB (1977-1981)
  • Steve Young, QB (1980-1983)
  • Gordon Hudson, TE (1980-1983)
  • Ty Detmer, QB (1988-1991)
  • LaVell Edwards, Coach (1972-2000)

All Americans:
  • Eldon Fortie     1961
  • Jay Miller     1973, 1974
  • Wayne Baker     1974
  • Brad Oates     1975
  • Jeff Blanc     1975
  • Orrin Olsen     1975
  • Gifford Nielsen 1976
  • Marc Wilson     1979
  • Clay Brown     1980
  • Nick Eyre     1980
  • Jim McMahon     1980, 1981
  • Bart Oates     1982
  • Gordon Hudson 1982, 1983
  • Steve Young     1983
  • Robbie Bosco     1984
  • Kyle Morrell     1984
  • Leon White     1984
  • Marv Allen     1984
  • David Mills     1984
  • Mark Bellini     1985
  • Trevor Matich     1985
  • Trevor Molini     1985
  • Jason Buck     1986
  • Pat Thompson     1988
  • Mo Elewonibi     1989
  • Bob Davis     1989
  • Chris Smith     1989, 1990
  • Ty Detmer     1990, 1991
  • Byron Rex     1992
  • Alan Boardman     1993
  • Evan Pilgrim     1994
  • Steve Sarkisian 1996
  • Itula Mili     1996
  • Rob Morris     1999
  • Luke Staley     1999, 2001
  • Matt Payne     2002, 2004
  • Daniel Coats     2003
  • Austin Collie     2004, 2008
  • Dallas Reynolds 2005, 2008
  • Jonny Harline     2006
  • John Beck     2006
  • Jake Kuresa     2006
  • Jan Jorgensen     2006
  • Harvey Unga     2007, 2008
  • Dennis Pitta     2008
  • Matt Reynolds     2008

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