A Signal-Caller Again

Almost ten years after he took his last snap as a BYU Cougar quarterback, Brandon Doman will once again be in charge of the BYU offense--this time as Cougars' new offensive coordinator.

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Doman and former BYU linebacker Kelly Poppinga were introduced in their new roles this afternoon, with Doman assuming offensive play-calling responsibilities, and Poppinga named as the permanent outside linebackers' coach, a role he filled for most of this past season.

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The coaches were re-introduced by head coach Bronco Mendenhall at a Tuesday afternoon press conference; thanks to the efforts of my BYUTV associate Jarom Jordan, you can hear all three coaches' podium remarks by clicking on the their respective links in the "Cougar Cuts" box to the right.

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Saying he "just can't be more excited to be able to do this," Doman said he "has great confidence in the future of this football program."

"To be in a position that I am in as the offensive coordinator at this school is quite mind-boggling, and humbling for me, but I'm very excited," said Doman.

Doman later said that "this is an awesome opportunity and a dream come true."

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Mendenhall called the time following the end of the just-completed season, "not only exciting, but challenging and at some points difficult."

"My job as the head coach is to continue to look for ways to improve our program. I'm not willing to accept any ceiling on our program, as to what's possible and not possible."

Mendenhall added that after making the decisions outlined today, the process of coaching staff evaluation "is ongoing, and there is no time frame nor deadline. I'll continue to work until I find the exact the right formula to help our program continue move forward," said Mendenhall.

Mendenhall said he he is "very excited, completely optimistic" and has "absolute confidence in" Doman and Poppinga.

About Doman, Mendenhall added that "our team believes in him, I believe in him, and I'm very excited to watch him as he grows and develops and leads our offense."

Speaking of Poppinga, Mendenhall said "he knows exactly what I expect as a football coach from him, he demands that of his players, and they love him because of it."

Mendenhall concluded his remarks with: "To me, It's a great day for BYU Football, and we're looking to continue gain momentum for the future."

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Poppinga pronounced himself "thankful for the opportunities that are ahead of me."

"I'm really exited for what's ahead and really excited for the potential that ths upcoming team has," said Poppinga. "To have the opportunity so early in my career to be back at BYU...is a great blessing in my life. I'm just extremely excited about it."

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In a question-and-answer session, Doman answered "No" when asked if he had other job options concurrent with the offer to become BYU's new offensive coordinator. He added that he had "no desire to coach elsewhere."

Doman said he "prepared like crazy" for his new assignment. "I feel ready, and believe that we can put together an offense that can be pretty good."

Asked about his offensive philosophy, Doman said "You create the offense around the talent that you have. That will be sorted out...over the next few months; deciding what the players can do great, what they can't do very well, and then put together an offense that suits who we are and what we can do hopefully better than anyone in the country."

"I would foresee us being very balanced but difficult to defend, if we're smart in the way that we do it."

Doman did say "I love throwing the football," but that "I don't think you can throw the football very effectively if you don't run the ball well; the defense has to be guessing all the time."

"I want the defenses that are going against our offense to be guessing all the time and be guessing wrong."

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