BYU Head Coach Search

[donovan]

This will be the first Head Coach search for BYU since 2004. Athletic director Tom Holmoe has a relatively small pool of candidates to choose from because that coach must be an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This position is a much as a church calling as a job interview. Here is the list that seem most probable. (By the way, BYU coaches salaries are private, but almost certain it is not the 3.2 million Mendenhall will make at Virginia.) Any top coach will take a pay cut, but that would not discourage most, in my opinion)

AD Holmoe will make the decision, but I can tell you for a certainty his decision will first be approved by the General Authorities of the Church and they do not care one hoot about wins. I'm sure they want both but will not sacrifice their criterion for wins. (In fairness, there are many schools under the same guide lines, some religious, some military, some academic.)

Here is a list:

Robert Anae, Offensive Coordinator, BYU Think they go to a bigger name
Lance Anderson, Defensive Coordinator, Stanford Good possibility
Darrell Bevell, Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks He developed Wilson and BYU made their reputation on great Quarterbacks.
Ken Niumatalolo, Head Coach, Navy I would think high on list and has experience running a program with restrictions.
Andy Reid, Head Coach, Kansas City Chiefs Not sure he would leave the NFL
Kalani Sitake, Defensive Coordinator, Oregon State Went with Andersen to OSU and has BYU ties, don't think he is the man
Kyle Whittingham, Head Coach, Utah He was offered the job when Mendenhall was hired, not sure he will jump ship to his alma mater...but not sure he will stick it out at Utah.

As Holmoe was quoted saying that he does not need a search firm, he knows all the candidates already. On commentary note, if the right "church" authority calls and asks them to come and have an interview, everyone on this list or some that are not, will make the trip, even if it is to decline. (I do not think that will happen, but am sure about the approval system...meaning the School President's bosses.)

[Spence]

Who do you think it will be. Bevell or Anderson seem like very good choices to me- knowing very little about the program.

[donovan]

Who do you think it will be. Bevell or Anderson seem like very good choices to me- knowing very little about the program.

I think Anderson may be the guy. He fits well with all the reasons I stated and is good with a passing game. Niumatalolo from Navy is probably the most qualified in terms of running a program, but I am not sure the triple option makes sense for BYU and that seems to be his forte'. BYU will never pay the multi million dollar contracts, I don't think. Not that they don't generate the money, just goes against the general grain of a school that has historically low Professotorial wages.

[donovan]

Bevell is not available. Monday Ken Niumatalo is going to Provo. That may be a choice but remember, in that culture, if he was asked to come, he would extend that courtesy if it was within his ability to do so. Not sure it means anything. Even Wittingham said he would listen. One kicker is, Mendenhall is taking a slew of Coaches with him. That is not uncommon as most would not be retained by a new coach. Still not sure where a triple option is the answer to Quarterback factory BYU.

That assumes Niumatalo only knows that scheme, which is not true. Most of this, in my opinion, has to do with BYU's independent status. Mendenahall has expressed BYU will never be a contender without a Power 5 alignment. Like Notre Dame, they financially are doing just fine without it. So can they ever be a contender. Sure, just go undefeated or one loss. Not as much as others, but BYU has a widespread following and it would be a money game.

I think Anderson is their best choice.

[donovan]

Niumatalo declined. Even if he was offered, which I think is only speculation, the next in line may be Oregon State's Sitake. BYU hold all of this close to the vest. Do no underplay the real hiring okay comes from a General Authority of the Latter-day Saint church. Nothing wrong with this, they just don't talk to the press about such matters. I would like Stanford's Anderson, but no one is consulting me.

[Spence]

Niumatalo declined. Even if he was offered, which I think is only speculation, the next in line may be Oregon State's Sitake. BYU hold all of this close to the vest. Do no underplay the real hiring okay comes from a General Authority of the Latter-day Saint church. Nothing wrong with this, they just don't talk to the press about such matters. I would like Stanford's Anderson, but no one is consulting me.

They don't have to disclose anything because they are private. I wouldn't talk to the press either. I do believe that you are right about Anderson.

[Spence]

Looks like Sitake Is getting the job.