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PROVO — Tom Holmoe stood near the pack, presumably to monitor the conversation between the media and the new face and voice of BYU's offense after the team's spring scrimmage last week.
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The athletic director wanted to hear the interaction that, considering the circumstances, has needlessly created somewhat of a stir. Under BYU's increasingly restrictive media policies, in which he does interviews basically only once a week, Robert Anae has decided it's in his best interest to take an aggressive approach in his demeanor and responses.
Three times over the last three weeks, Anae has awkwardly and abruptly ended an interview, questioned the motives of innocuous questions and dictated what writers put in "their little papers." All of this was done during spring practice, during which no coordinator has ever been subject to scrutiny for any play-calling.
Nobody confuses spring practice for the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
For media types everywhere, we say welcome back, Robert, who is in his second stint as the coordinator after taking a two-year hiatus to coach the offensive line at Arizona. Spring ball is often an exercise in the mundane — witness more than half of BYU's projected starters not participating in the last scrimmage — but Anae's attitude and approach has spiced up the normal boring routine.
Thanks, coach. At least from this perspective, keep those witty one-liners coming.
"I have seen him turn on the charm with sarcasm, and I have seen him divide players and others with sarcasm," 1280 The Zone contributor Riley Jensen said. "Most of the time it's funny, sometimes it isn't. The fact is, Robert has been this way for a long time."
For all those wanting to naturally blame the media, explain that it's obvious that Holmoe has some concern. Why else would he have spoken to Anae about the situation?
In response to a concerned-fan's email, Holmoe acknowledged that he talked to Anae "about boundaries and timing." Holmoe also stated any media that has a problem with Anae hasn't figured out his sense of humor and the coach actually is a good interview.
No argument on any account.
Anae's tussle with the media is harmless. Although Anae can be awkward at times, he's a good coach and a decent person.
Nobody is asking him to be another LaVell Edwards, who was a master at presenting himself and his program in a good light, but joking only works if both sides are in on it. Perception is often reality, no matter intent.
For now, Anae should stick to the format he used during his first public comments in February on national signing day. Speaking before the media and an audience on BYU-TV, he commanded the room by saying BYU's offense would play hard and fast and he would put heavy emphasis on the offensive line, which was a point of concern last season.
In his first time as a coordinator in two years, Anae smacked a grand slam with his remarks. It worked then and will work again.
Utah's new co-offensive coordinator Dennis Erickson, who's won multiple national championships as a head coach, plays it straight. Anae, who's been on a staff that has won multiple Las Vegas Bowl games, should follow suit.
In the end, he'll be judged by the offense's production. As long as a coach wins, or produces points in Anae's case, he can lecture and talk down to anybody he desires.
Bronco Mendenhall is a case in point. BYU's highly successful head coach has often had awkward interactions with his own fan base and has even resorted to the occasional admonishment.
As long as he wins 10 games a season and produces nationally ranked teams, nobody cares. And rightly so.
Anae's case is slightly different, though. Until he's reached Norm Chow status, which isn't even on the horizon, Anae would be well served to present himself in a less confrontational fashion.
In the current climate, a head coach needs to be good at public relations. Anae doesn't need to be all warm and fuzzy, but basic common courtesy would help, especially as a high-profile representative of a church-sponsored institution that believes its football program is a missionary tool.
As is his prerogative, and actually the charge from his superiors, Mendenhall often infuses religion into his message and football program. For this reason, an assistant coach needs to better understand "boundaries and timing."
"Most of the time, Robert is pretty smart and savvy when it comes to playing the game politically," Jensen said. "However, to let his sarcasm get the best of him in front of a newspaper (reporter) is very surprising."
