Tom Holmoe interview at Education Week

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2856317-155/byu-sports-holmoe-backs-hills-scheduling" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



A couple of items of note:

- Asked to assess BYU's chances of getting into the Big 12 or another Power 5 conference, Holmoe said he "really can't comment on that," except to say that "the barriers, the objections, I have read them all" and that BYU is "doing everything we can to put our [student-athletes] in position to compete at the highest levels, because that's what BYU athletes deserve."



- He said joining a conference in football only and leaving the other sports in the WCC "is [not] a viable option in this environment, for the time being."



- Holmoe said he has a "really good relationship" with Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson and most of the schools in the conference that the Cougars left four years ago. Asked whether BYU would ever return to the MWC, he said, "I would never say never about anything like that."



- He said one particular MWC school, which he did not name, still "doesn't want a thing to do with us" and "is mad at us," but that relations are slowly thawing.



- The athletic director said that the contract BYU signed with Notre Dame to play four games in South Bend, Ind., and two games in Provo will likely be bought out by the Irish. BYU has played twice at Notre Dame, but the visits have not been returned. "We are in discussions right now to see what their choice is going to be," Holmoe said. "We will have a solution soon."

The day BYU returns to the MWC is the day I cancel my season tickets, because the Program is over.

BYU going back to the MWC would be like a dog returning to its vomit.

So now you pull out your fair weather fan-ness? Down-vote. Tom will not be happy with you when he reads your posts.

A MWC Cougar team to me is far less interesting than an independent or P5 Cougar team. I'd still be a fan because I have that alumni connection--but if BYU is going to be a 2nd tier football team (by definition that is what G5 is) part of me is less interested. That's why I don't really follow the SL Bees (minor league baseball), Real Monarchs (RSL's lower level team), or other minor league teams of whatever sport around the state. Maybe I check the standings from time to time--but if I'm going to invest a bunch of my time (like I do for BYU football), I want it to be for something that matters. As Holmoe said "its what [we] deserve". IMHO

The only way BYU returns to the MWC is after the MWC is granted P5 status. There is no compelling argument to do so unless that happens. Winning solves all the problems. Just win baby!



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At this stage we have quasi P5 status. Going back to MWC as it is would be the equivalent of self defining ourselves as a G5 program.



As much as I miss being in conference, independence is better than the MWC. Problem is, unless BYU makes some noise as an independent within the next couple of seasons the program will lose its following. Fan base can only take so many meaningless seasons. As of now, whether we win 6 or 11 games the outcome is the same.



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BYU as an independent vs MWC affiliation is a no brainer. The SOS BYU can garner as an independent is much higher than teams they would play in MWC. As an independent they are already playing the two best MWC teams on a regular basis (BSU and USU) and not getting punished in SOS for playing the other doormats. If BYU wins on the big stage against the big name schools, a NY6 game consideration is realistic and the chance to get ranked in Top 25 is more probable. This the best option for the team outside of P5 conference affiliation.

Fido wrote:
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2856317-155/byu-sports-holmoe-backs-hills-scheduling



A couple of items of note:

- Asked to assess BYU's chances of getting into the Big 12 or another Power 5 conference, Holmoe said he "really can't comment on that," except to say that "the barriers, the objections, I have read them all" and that BYU is "doing everything we can to put our [student-athletes] in position to compete at the highest levels, because that's what BYU athletes deserve."

I wanted to bring this back up to the top because I didn't see anyone address this part of Holmoe's comments.



When has he been reluctant to comment about joining the Big 12 or any other P 5 conferences? Just last summer that was all he and Bronco could talk about. Am I reading too much into this? Could Holmoe, BYU and Big 12 be in talks and part of the negotiation is a mandated gag order not to say anything at all? Or is he just tired of talking about it and just shot off the "no comment" about it?



Maybe this has already been addressed in another thread but I thought it was an interesting 180 degree turn from last summer's P 5 talk, or am I just wishful thinking here!

blue42 wrote:

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2856317-155/byu-sports-holmoe-backs-hills-scheduling



A couple of items of note:

- Asked to assess BYU's chances of getting into the Big 12 or another Power 5 conference, Holmoe said he "really can't comment on that," except to say that "the barriers, the objections, I have read them all" and that BYU is "doing everything we can to put our [student-athletes] in position to compete at the highest levels, because that's what BYU athletes deserve."

I wanted to bring this back up to the top because I didn't see anyone address this part of Holmoe's comments.



When has he been reluctant to comment about joining the Big 12 or any other P 5 conferences? Just last summer that was all he and Bronco could talk about. Am I reading too much into this? Could Holmoe, BYU and Big 12 be in talks and part of the negotiation is a mandated gag order not to say anything at all? Or is he just tired of talking about it and just shot off the "no comment" about it?



Maybe this has already been addressed in another thread but I thought it was an interesting 180 degree turn from last summer's P 5 talk, or am I just wishful thinking here!

I think, perhaps, it built up hopes and expectations last year and when it didn't happen, he probably got some backlash and dissapointment.

hawkwing wrote:
The day BYU returns to the MWC is the day I cancel my season tickets, because the Program is over.

Amen to this. I will still watch the games, but my level of commitment will be way down if they go crawling back to the MWC.



I like Independence. It's 100000x better than that crappy conference.

Schmoe wrote:

Fido wrote:
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2856317-155/byu-sports-holmoe-backs-hills-scheduling



A couple of items of note:

- Asked to assess BYU's chances of getting into the Big 12 or another Power 5 conference, Holmoe said he "really can't comment on that," except to say that "the barriers, the objections, I have read them all" and that BYU is "doing everything we can to put our [student-athletes] in position to compete at the highest levels, because that's what BYU athletes deserve."

I wanted to bring this back up to the top because I didn't see anyone address this part of Holmoe's comments.



When has he been reluctant to comment about joining the Big 12 or any other P 5 conferences? Just last summer that was all he and Bronco could talk about. Am I reading too much into this? Could Holmoe, BYU and Big 12 be in talks and part of the negotiation is a mandated gag order not to say anything at all? Or is he just tired of talking about it and just shot off the "no comment" about it?



Maybe this has already been addressed in another thread but I thought it was an interesting 180 degree turn from last summer's P 5 talk, or am I just wishful thinking here!

I think, perhaps, it built up hopes and expectations last year and when it didn't happen, he probably got some backlash and dissapointment.

Schmoe you are probably 100% correct. It could be that people higher up than Tom and Bronco told them to quit begging to get in the Big 12 so they had to stop talking about it.



I do find Tom's choice of words very interesting though. He said he "really can't comment on that". Why not use some kind of "coach speak" to say he doesn't want to talk about it instead of can't comment on that?



Maybe I still have a small candle burning for a Big 12 invite that I am really straining to read between the lines!

Oh, I don't think that it means that anything's decided by any means; I'm still completely holding out hope. I just think that last time around we all got a little too hyped up and it was a big letdown when we didn't get the invite, so Holmoe's taking a "we're in a good place as an independent, we're happy, and we'll continue looking to improve, but I'm not promising anything," stance so as not to upset Cougar nation if nothing does happen.

byucougar1 wrote:
BYU as an independent vs MWC affiliation is a no brainer. The SOS BYU can garner as an independent is much higher than teams they would play in MWC. As an independent they are already playing the two best MWC teams on a regular basis (BSU and USU) and not getting punished in SOS for playing the other doormats.

You must not own season tickets the last couple years. All we play is doormats at home, and bad (or average at best) teams on the road.

Brayden Green wrote:

BYU as an independent vs MWC affiliation is a no brainer. The SOS BYU can garner as an independent is much higher than teams they would play in MWC. As an independent they are already playing the two best MWC teams on a regular basis (BSU and USU) and not getting punished in SOS for playing the other doormats.

You must not own season tickets the last couple years. All we play is doormats at home, and bad (or average at best) teams on the road.

Congratulations. I believe you just described perfectly our conference schedule as members of the MWC. It would be wisdom to return to playing 8 crappy MWC games, plus some HH with Pac-12 teams and an FCS team OOC, instead of playing 7 mediocre G5 games, 4 HHN games with Pac-12/B1G/SEC teams, and an FCS team.

redneckjedi wrote:

byucougar1 wrote:
BYU as an independent vs MWC affiliation is a no brainer. The SOS BYU can garner as an independent is much higher than teams they would play in MWC. As an independent they are already playing the two best MWC teams on a regular basis (BSU and USU) and not getting punished in SOS for playing the other doormats.

You must not own season tickets the last couple years. All we play is doormats at home, and bad (or average at best) teams on the road.

Congratulations. I believe you just described perfectly our conference schedule as members of the MWC. It would be wisdom to return to playing 8 crappy MWC games, plus some HH with Pac-12 teams and an FCS team OOC, instead of playing 7 mediocre G5 games, 4 HHN games with Pac-12/B1G/SEC teams, and an FCS team.

@Connecticut

@Texas

Houston

Virginia

Utah State

@Central Florida

Nevada

@Boise State

@Middle Tennessee

UNLV

Savannah State

@California



2014 Miami Beach Bowl vs Memphis

Memphis



Assuming we kept 2 of the mix of Houston, Texas, UCF or Cal ... Yes, a MWC schedule would have been better, plus we would have had a championship to play for to keep the fans, coaches, and players interested throughout the season. This program is waning over the last 5 years, not waxing. Apathy will be the death of the program. Let's hope it not get to that.

Brayden Green wrote:

Brayden Green wrote:

BYU as an independent vs MWC affiliation is a no brainer. The SOS BYU can garner as an independent is much higher than teams they would play in MWC. As an independent they are already playing the two best MWC teams on a regular basis (BSU and USU) and not getting punished in SOS for playing the other doormats.

You must not own season tickets the last couple years. All we play is doormats at home, and bad (or average at best) teams on the road.

Congratulations. I believe you just described perfectly our conference schedule as members of the MWC. It would be wisdom to return to playing 8 crappy MWC games, plus some HH with Pac-12 teams and an FCS team OOC, instead of playing 7 mediocre G5 games, 4 HHN games with Pac-12/B1G/SEC teams, and an FCS team.

@Connecticut

@Texas

Houston

Virginia

Utah State

@Central Florida

Nevada

@Boise State

@Middle Tennessee

UNLV

Savannah State

@California



2014 Miami Beach Bowl vs Memphis

Memphis



Assuming we kept 2 of the mix of Houston, Texas, UCF or Cal ... Yes, a MWC schedule would have been better, plus we would have had a championship to play for to keep the fans, coaches, and players interested throughout the season. This program is waning over the last 5 years, not waxing. Apathy will be the death of the program. Let's hope it not get to that.

Wrong. I have no interest in a MWC championship now.

Y 4 Ever wrote:

The day BYU returns to the MWC is the day I cancel my season tickets, because the Program is over.

Amen to this. I will still watch the games, but my level of commitment will be way down if they go crawling back to the MWC.



I like Independence. It's 100000x better than that crappy conference.

I will be with them whichever way they go.

Brayden Green wrote:

@Connecticut

@Texas

Houston

Virginia

Utah State

@Central Florida

Nevada

@Boise State

@Middle Tennessee

UNLV

Savannah State

@California



2014 Miami Beach Bowl vs Memphis

Memphis



Assuming we kept 2 of the mix of Houston, Texas, UCF or Cal ... Yes, a MWC schedule would have been better, plus we would have had a championship to play for to keep the fans, coaches, and players interested throughout the season. This program is waning over the last 5 years, not waxing. Apathy will be the death of the program. Let's hope it not get to that.

Back-up plan should be the AAC with perhaps Boise St., SDSU, and a couple of other western members. 2014 schedule could have been:



@Connecticut

@Texas

Houston

Virginia

Utah State

@Central Florida

SMU

@Boise State

@Tulsa

SDSU

Air Force

@California



That's better than a current MWC schedule - because no Laramie, no SJSU - instead road trips to Orlando and NYC-area.



The expanded AAC (with BYU and Boise St.) would definitely secure the Las Vegas Bowl. So, our 2014 bowl opponent could have been Utah in Las Vegas.

2015 AAC could look like this:



@Nebraska

Wagner/FCS

@UCLA

Utah St.(get this back to a 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 and Friday before GC)

UConn

@Air Force

ECU

@Temple

Cincinnati

@SMU

@SDSU

Boise St.



It would mean no @Michigan or @Missouri (and likely no Missouri in LES eventually), but I'd take that schedule.