PROVO — Even though the results for BYU’s football team last season were in line with recent years, enthusiasm for the program is undeniably surging.

The two most important indicators – donations and an increase in numbers – have already proven it. BYU supporters are attracted to the coaching staff, led by the fan-friendly head coach (Kalani Sitake) and offensive coordinator (Ty Detmer).

An estimated 5,000 fans packed St. George’s Dixie High School football stadium to watch the football team conduct a spring practice last week. The overflow crowd packed the bleachers and lined up behind the south end zone, waiting for the chance to mingle with players and coaches.

The high school recruits, led by Penei Sewell, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound prospect already offered by Alabama, on hand had to come away impressed. A good number of people care about BYU football.

“The fan support was unbelievable,” Sitake said. “Just really appreciate the fans showing up.”

Unlike his predecessor, Bronco Mendenhall, the former BYU running back is more connected to the fan base. Since taking the job in December 2015, Sitake has gone out of his way to interact with the fans. Staying true to his personality, using two examples, Sitake has danced with the student section during basketball games and braved the February chill in overnight hours to celebrate when the Cougars landed at the local airport after upsetting No. 1 Gonzaga.

The connection to the fans goes beyond any cheerleading. It is making a difference where it counts the most.

As an independent in football, the BYU athletic department does not draw the millions of dollars like the Power 5 schools do from television contracts. As a result, the department needs to hit up boosters for money.

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“He’s brought a spark of life to some people that weren’t involved,” said athletic director Tom Holmoe. “One of the things I see is there’s a lot more people that really involved in BYU football that are now. He brings things to the table that are unique to his personality and his skills.”

Often still in public settings, Mendenhall seemed to want to keep his distance from BYU fans. Sitake has never met a hand he didn’t want to shake or a media member he wasn’t willing to hug.

Enthusiasm for the program spiked immediately, long before the Cougars even played a game. A record crowd estimated between 18,000 and 20,000 turned out for last year’s spring game, which was nothing more than a modified practice.

This year’s spring game, to be played Saturday, is scheduled to be broadcast on BYU-TV.

“More fans want to see what we have going on,” Sitake said, “and I think it’s important to be accessible to all of them.”

The practice at Dixie High was part of the football program’s outreach for its fans. The team conducted several fan fests, which included meet-and-greets with players and coaches, last year in various parts of the country.

After the team did not visit the St. George area last year, BYU fans in southern Utah practically demanded an appearance this offseason. BYU responded by taking the fan fest a step further with holding a practice in addition to the interaction afterward.

The fan response to the St. George event was similar to the other places, Sitake said.

As BYU tries to negotiate the landmine that is being an independent, it is obvious the fan interest matches up well with the majority of P-5 fan bases, particularly those in the west. One BYU coach, who has also worked at Utah and Oregon State, does not believe many programs could hold a spring practice three hours away from campus and generate the kind of support BYU had last week.

“No other place like it,” said defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki. “I’ve been to several different schools, but I don’t think we could have traveled anywhere else.”

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