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PROVO — After inheriting one of the worst programs in college football, LaVell Edwards led the Cougars to a national championship just over a decade into his tenure.
For his career, Edwards racked up 257 wins, 19 conference championships and the national title. I caught up with the coach recently, and he graciously answered my questions. The following is Part 3 of a three-part interview I conducted with Edwards.
Dylan Cannon: In Year 5, what do you think about independence?
LaVell Edwards: I like better being in a conference. You can lose a game or two early in the year and still be in the hunt for a championship in a conference. As a team, we always strived to have as good of a team as we could have. But our main goal was to win the conference championship. People say 'well, what about national championships?' Hey, that's not going to happen. If you can have everything break right like it did in '84, and everybody else gets beat like they did in '84 then yeah, that could happen. Our whole goal was to win the conference championship.
DC: Do you think BYU will ever be invited to play in a major conference?
LE: If they went to football-only in conferences, which I think down the road it's going to be something like that, then I would hope BYU would be included. I think they would. But, the lack of Sunday play is going to preclude BYU from ever being in a major conference (as a full member). Because they don't play football on Sundays in college very often but a lot of other sports they do. And BYU will never change its policy on (their) teams playing on Sundays. DC: What do you expect from Taysom Hill this year?
LE: If he stays healthy, I think he's going to join the ranks of a lot of our other great quarterbacks because he's very exciting, his passing has improved considerably and he's very athletic. He's big, and he's strong. I don't know the kid, but I understand he's an outstanding young man, and he's a very good leader. So, I think the whole key there is to keep him healthy.
DC: What do you expect from the team as a whole?
LE: I think again (if) Taysom stays healthy they'll be pretty good. They have a very tough schedule, but they have games that they can win, too. Some of them will be more difficult, but I look for them to have a good year, particularly if they can keep Taysom healthy.
DC: How would you rate the job that Bronco Mendenhall has done in his first 10 seasons?
LE: Oh, I think he's done a nice job. I think he's created some stability in the program, and I think he's done a nice job.
DC: Your grandson, Matthew Edwards, is an assistant coach at Southern Virginia University. What advice would you give him as a coach?
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Going long with coach LaVell Edwards, part II
For his career, BYU coach LaVell Edwards racked up 257 wins, 19 conference championships and the before-mentioned national championship. I caught up with the coach recently, and he graciously answered my questions. The following is part two of a three-part interview I conducted with Edwards.LE: Try to go to medical school. (Laughs). No, I think to just go ahead and do what he believes in because I think every great coach has to have a set of beliefs, a core of beliefs, in how they are going to do things and to work with others and whatever. Matthew is very intelligent, and I think he has the potential to be a very good football coach. DC: Do you feel that Taysom Hill can play at the next level?
LE: I think so, particularly if he can become more consistent in throwing the ball. Steve Young wasn't consistent to begin with and he went on to do pretty well in the NFL. (Laughs). I think Taysom has that same kind of ability. He's big and strong, has a good arm and can run. I think he'll be a very good NFL player.
DC: Anyone else on the team you think can play at the next level?
LE: I'm sure there are. There's probably some linemen, and the running back is a good one. I think, given the chance, they can probably do it. You not only have to have a chance, but you have to be a little bit lucky. You've got to stay healthy in camp, and things need to come together for you. A lot of times, you don't have control over things. If you can just adjust to those and keep moving forward, then I think there are some that have a chance to play (at the next level).
Dylan Cannon is a regular KSL.com contributor and can be reached at DylanCannon86@gmail.com or via twitter @DylanCannon11. Listen to his weekly podcast, "Cougar Talk," on iTunes.
