What changes does BYU need to make?

[mtnradio]

This is not about "what Utah Does" Utah is NOT independent in football. This is about being in a better situation than we were otherwise in. This year shows us exactly what joining a conference would cost us. We get to watch our Cougars this week in an excellent time slot. Saturday at 1:30 in the afternoon. If we were in the Mountain West would we have that time and station? Does your TV provider even carry the Mountain West network? I couldn't watch the Utah State game because of the lousy TV package that the MWC has.

And honestly do you think any recruits are weighing a potential conference championship in their school destination? Like "BYU plays big schools in NFL stadiums on ESPN ...but I would rather play Wyoming on a tv channel no one gets in November for the possibility of a CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP! Come on - seriously?

And remember when we left the MWC - the conference was bad bad bad... BSU left the MWC too, they left in part because the Conference was regulating what football uniforms the teams wore. Seriously what conference does that? The MWC brought BSU back, we haven't been invited back, and there's many good reasons on both sides never to return.

Agreed.

BYU is trying to use the football program to further a specific goal that is tied directly to the mission of the university and the church. It is the pinnacle of stupidity to think the church is going to get rid of the HC for a football program; there is greater likelihood of getting rid of the football program. (At Ricks, after getting rid of sports, they said they got rid of about 80% of the problems ...) And it's not about paying a non-LDS coach more ... that doesn't fit in with the mission of the program, the university, or the church.

I've been reading the whining on this board (and I've participated in it) ... but this has got to stop. The complaining and negativity is taxing on each of us. I used to enjoy getting on this board to commiserate and share and hopefully learn from you guys. I've been negative too, so I fully recognize that when I point a finger at someone else I've got three pointed back at me ... but can we PLEASE try to be positive about something? I'm getting to the point that I skip some posters comments ... I look at the name up top and I know exactly what I'm going to get if I read the post ... KS is terrible, every coach must be fired immediately ... blah, blah, blah ... every thread draws the same comments from certain posters. Create a board about how the earth must love BYU, else why is the sky blue! ... and certain of us will turn it into a bash on the program and coaches.

Sheesh!

I turned to this thread hoping some of you who have some good insight could point to something ... maybe I'll learn something. But no, it turns into a trash the coaches thread!

I REALLY, HONESTLY would like to see some serious comments about what could be done. I've read (and believe) that the recievers are soft and weak. OK, what should they do better? What about the O-line ... what do they need to change? (As Olsen showed in his film review, at least several of the QB rushes against ECU was because the RB missed his man ... so, do we blame the O-line?)

OK, I'm getting off my soapbox. I'm tired. Boise ... where is the bottom 5 that you used to do? I could use some humor right now ...

[BoiseBYU]

Those that criticized the Bronco and Anae football teams had rocks in their heads. Seems like some folks just like to whine. There is a reason Bronco left BYU, and it was about more than just money.

If you want to compare apples to apples, compare how both Virginia and BYU did this year against Boise St.

BYU 7, Boise 27
VA 42, Boise St. 23.

The big elephant in the room is BYU's self imposed culture and HC. It's a point which BYU fans take great pride in - to a point. When it limits who you can recruit and hire for coaching staff, it take a toll in the "W" column. It's a fact. BYU fans will counter with "we don't want those players here anyway." Really? When really great recruits in-state are flipping to Utah? Think again.

In the last 21 years Utah St. has beaten BYU 14 times. In the last 10 years Utah St. has won 7 times. That is ridiculous. BYU should OWN Utah St. Something is wrong - yet none of the BYU loyal will admit or address it.

And yes, BYU should get back into the MWC and strive to be competitive. They aren't now.

In the last 21 years, BYU has beaten USU 17 times; USU has won four contests. In the last 10 years, BYU has won 7 times and USU 3 times.

Then I stand corrected. Thank you.

No problemo! Your overall point is sound in my book. We are second fiddle to UT and USU is making moves. Reality is tearing right at us.

[frdbtr]

BYU should never go back to the MWC for any reason. That divorce was ugly. It would be like a dog going back to its vomit. I would prefer the AAC over the MW any day of the week. What we really need is a competent coaching staff to get us back to winning against our independent schedule and maybe something better would come along.

[Gunk]

What changes do we need?

A new coaching staff.

While I am not the biggest fan of the HC, BYU has won plenty of games with it. There is enough LDS talent for BYU to compete at a national level. We've gotten close and I truly believe we could get there with the right coaching staff.

Bronco hit a ceiling. With an above average OC at his side, we would have made some noise. With an OC like Anae, we still won a lot of games. So, it can be done.

I like the idea of joining a conference. I miss playing for something. I also like being independent. Above all, I like watching BYU win.

If the Church is serious about using football as a marketing tool, then they need the football team playing and winning on the largest stage possible. To do that, they need to spend some cash on a legit coaching staff. There is plenty of LDS talent out there. We just have to be willing to pay for it.

[byucougar1]

Seriously...a new coaching staff? I strongly disagree. The team is beaten up from playing a very difficult up front schedule (LSU, Utah, Wisconsin, BSU, MSU...even USU is playing well). We likely will lose to Fresno State as they are 4-0 in conference and beat a decent SDSU team.

ECU had a similar schedule as BYU in that they had also played very challenging teams but clearly had a better offense than BYU and had better team speed; which turned out to be the difference in the game. Their WR corps were aggressive and went after the ball with a vengeance; likely those two WRs will have a good shot of playing on Sundays.

The team has suffered the most injuries that I can remember in a while, and lost a good portion of the starters. We have little depth that is experienced and of high caliber talent. Going into the ECU game, the Cougars had 34 players that were injured and missed playing time this season. 22 of the 34 players were in the two-deep and 12 players were projected starters.

Key players lost included quarterbacks Tanner Mangum (he is still not 100%) and Beau Hoge, linebackers Butch Pau'u and Matt Hadley along with now released Francis Bernard (redshirting prior to the season), tight end Moroni Laulu-Pututau, receiver Talon Shumway, and now Troy Warner.

At this point, the coaches have been playing not to lose (very conservative), and not being as aggressive with schemes. They may not want to put the players in risky situations but keep things very simple and basic and try and reduce mistakes. As a result, there have been few takeaways, produced turnovers, etc. Last year, the team was 4th in the nation in producing turnovers.

The injury bug coupled with the fact that the team has no real leader, compared with last years alpha dawgs Taysom Hill, Jamaal Williams, Harvey Langi and Nacua, has produced the results that we now see. The 1-7 record may get worse unless some players step up and inspire the team to greater heights.

[TulaneVandyRiceCoug]

I hear it and I knooooooooow.

I think this year might be just a fluke.

[frdbtr]

Seriously...a new coaching staff? I strongly disagree. The team is beaten up from playing a very difficult up front schedule (LSU, Utah, Wisconsin, BSU, MSU...even USU is playing well). We likely will lose to Fresno State as they are 4-0 in conference and beat a decent SDSU team.

ECU had a similar schedule as BYU in that they had also played very challenging teams but clearly had a better offense than BYU and had better team speed; which turned out to be the difference in the game. Their WR corps were aggressive and went after the ball with a vengeance; likely those two WRs will have a good shot of playing on Sundays.

The team has suffered the most injuries that I can remember in a while, and lost a good portion of the starters. We have little depth that is experienced and of high caliber talent. Going into the ECU game, the Cougars had 34 players that were injured and missed playing time this season. 22 of the 34 players were in the two-deep and 12 players were projected starters.

Key players lost included quarterbacks Tanner Mangum (he is still not 100%) and Beau Hoge, linebackers Butch Pau'u and Matt Hadley along with now released Francis Bernard (redshirting prior to the season), tight end Moroni Laulu-Pututau, receiver Talon Shumway, and now Troy Warner.

At this point, the coaches have been playing not to lose (very conservative), and not being as aggressive with schemes. They may not want to put the players in risky situations but keep things very simple and basic and try and reduce mistakes. As a result, there have been few takeaways, produced turnovers, etc. Last year, the team was 4th in the nation in producing turnovers.

The injury bug coupled with the fact that the team has no real leader, compared with last years alpha dawgs Taysom Hill, Jamaal Williams, Harvey Langi and Nacua, has produced the results that we now see. The 1-7 record may get worse unless some players step up and inspire the team to greater heights.

Injuries, schedule, blah, blah, blah. This schedule is no tougher than the ones we won 8 and 9 games with in the past. The difference this year is the players are not prepared to win against anyone. That is on the coaches. This coaching staff has failed at a level that hardly any of us have seen in our lifetimes and definitely out of mine. This problem will never be fixed under this staff, we need to blow it up and start over.

[mtnradio]

I think cougar1 may be oon to something. I've been wondering and wondering about the problem. The USU coach made a statement in ksl pregame ... coach lead teams can be good, but player lead teams can be great. Fred Warner seems to be somewhat of a leader, but my sense is that it is divided. Magnum is a great guy, but the team hasn't gelled behind him. Maybe the problem is that this family has a lit of brothers, but no alpha big brother who's going to show the way. Tanner may just have been rocked by life and injuries and losses ... i don't know. But cougar1 may be exactly right ... this team needs a leader, and when you're a coach facing all the challenges these guys are, its easy to miss that problem. You see guys in practice, you know who sound be the leader ...

And maybe, something the coaches are our aren't doing is contributing to the lack of leadership by the players.

Something to think about.

[BroncoBot]

Seriously...a new coaching staff? I strongly disagree. The team is beaten up from playing a very difficult up front schedule (LSU, Utah, Wisconsin, BSU, MSU...even USU is playing well). We likely will lose to Fresno State as they are 4-0 in conference and beat a decent SDSU team.

Funny how the most difficult games turn out to be mediocre teams, and the gimmies turn into more difficult games.

[Mars]

The excuses are used up. Time for accountability.