BYU: Doman talks firing, fandom and future


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PROVO — Two years ago in January, on the day he became offensive coordinator, the wonder kid stood in the BYU football complex, recognized by his superior as a rising star.

Now here he was last month, walking out of this same building in a dazed, surreal state of mind, his reputation tarnished. For almost 30 years, dating back to his boyhood when his oldest brother, Kevin, first put on the blue and white uniform, Brandon Doman was inseparably connected to BYU football.

But just like that, against his will, that direct bond was blasted out of his life.

Doman was fired last month as offensive coordinator, absorbing the biggest blow for a woefully inadequate offense that left a legion of fans disappointed and frustrated. On a cold winter’s night, the former BYU quarterback stashed his career in boxes and left his professional home.

Former BYU Offensive Coordinator Brandon Doman
Former BYU Offensive Coordinator Brandon Doman

“When I was cleaning my office out I started walking down the hallway and it was way harder than I thought it would be,” he said.

After weeks of speculation on Doman’s fate, coach Bronco Mendenhall announced on Feb. 6 that they had decided by mutual decision to part ways. Mendenhall originally fired Doman as offensive coordinator but had left open the possibility of him remaining as quarterbacks coach, a position he held for six seasons.

In effect, Mendenhall dumped Doman twice.

Since the season ended after BYU’s bowl game in December, Doman has stayed quiet, not making any public comments. He broke that silence last week during a 35-minute interview with DJ and PK on 97.5-FM and 1280-AM The Zone.

With no topic off limits, Doman expressed a variety of views, ranging from his devotion to BYU and up through the most recent tumultuous season. In a dignified and professional manner, he also disputed Mendenhall’s assertion that his departure was a joint decision.

Willing to accept a demotion, he still doesn’t know why Mendenhall and new offensive coordinator Robert Anae didn’t want him.

“I would have liked to have been at BYU. Obviously I would have liked to be the offensive coordinator there,” he said. “Through the whole process, gosh, I would have liked to have returned. I think I had reached at least a consensus in my own home with my wife and I that we were prepared to go back to BYU and be the quarterback coach.


I certainly over time realized for some reason, and I don't know that I'll ever really know the answer to this, it was a significant conflict for me to be in that building with Robert and Bronco.

–Brandon Doman


“So I don’t know that it was mutual all the way. But I certainly over time realized for some reason, and I don’t know that I’ll ever really know the answer to this, it was a significant conflict for me to be in that building with Robert and Bronco.”

The final of four brothers to play football at BYU, Doman experienced a frustrating and rewarding college career. He didn’t become the starting quarterback until November of his junior season and then proceeded to win his first 14 starts.

After a stint in the NFL, Doman was a part of Mendenhall’s first staff as quarterbacks coach. Calling him the best at his position in the college game, Mendenhall promoted the relatively young and inexperienced Doman after Anae resigned as offensive coordinator two years ago to become an assistant at Arizona.

Doman holds no animosity toward either coach and considers both as his friends. He remains loyal to Mendenhall and appreciates getting hired without any coaching experience and then being elevated to offensive coordinator in his mid-30s.

Putting aside his ego, Doman was willing to go back to a position he held under Mendenhall and Anae for six seasons. But apparently they weren’t comfortable with him staying on the staff, preferring to give former BYU backup quarterback Jason Beck his first full-time major college job.

“I sat down with Bronco and Robert and had a long conversation about many things,” Doman said. “What we’re seeing right now is coach Mendenhall putting together the staff that maybe is his last and final staff (and) moving forward with confidence with the way he wants to do it.”

Reflecting on last season, Doman thought the loss to San Jose State ultimately may have led to his dismissal. In that game, injured quarterback Riley Nelson again was ineffective.

Nelson battled injuries virtually all season, drawing the ire of countless BYU supporters. Doman said Mendenhall made the decision to start Nelson.


I am, and forever will be, an advocate of Riley Nelson. I loved him and lived by him, and maybe I died by him.

–Brandon Doman


“I am, and forever will be, an advocate of Riley Nelson,” Doman said. “I loved him and lived by him, and maybe I died by him.”

For the time being, Doman has stepped away from coaching and is exploring business opportunities with his extended family, a close-knit group all living in Utah County. He may return to coaching if the right opportunity arises.

He remains a BYU fan, noting that his nephew will carry on the Doman tradition as a receiver on next season’s team.

“I look back with great respect for the school and the opportunities that were there,” he said. “I’m not walking away from that school burning a blaze behind me. It was too good for me.”

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