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PROVO — Why, as virtually all BYU football fans asked, would Bronco Mendenhall begin to think it was a good idea to replace the players’ names on their jerseys with the program’s core philosophies?
While the thought was dumb, the intent explains the coach’s strong conviction for BYU football.
The individual words “spirit, honor and tradition” represent Mendenhall’s beliefs for his program, but he quickly learned they don’t belong on game-day jerseys. We’ve all seen the photograph of Jonny Harline as he stood with his outstretched arms, all alone in the Rice-Eccles Stadium north end zone after catching the winning touchdown against Utah in 2006. Imagine if the indelible image included “Spirit” on the back of the jersey instead of the tight end’s name.
And as every hardcore Cougar fan knows, the pass came from “Jo. Beck,” otherwise known as John Beck. His backup that season was current quarterbacks coach Jason Beck, whose jersey read “Ja. Beck.”
When Mendenhall’s decision to change the jerseys went public last week, it blew up on social media within seconds as jokes and one-liners at BYU’s expense flooded Twitter. Former players, free to express themselves without risking playing time, quickly voiced outrage.
A few hours later, after meeting with his team, Mendenhall announced on Twitter his plan would be implemented only for the Homecoming game. In the end, the coach owned up to his mistake and no harm was done.
Related:
What's in a name? Mendenhall scales back jersey plans
Following an internet firestorm that raged for upwards of four hours on Thursday, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall, after meeting with his players, has scaled back plans to replace player surnames with program mottos on the backs of their jerseys.But, sarcasm aside, there’s a deeper issue here.
Obviously Mendenhall is looking at ways to distinguish his program. He wants to separate BYU from all the Division I programs.
For survival sake, he has no choice.
Not since LaVell Edwards made the program respectable 40 years ago has BYU faced such stiff competition for its potential pool of players. During his 29 years as head coach, Edwards recruited against lousy Utah and Utah State programs whose rosters were stocked with BYU leftovers or rejects — who transferred to Provo because he couldn’t get on the field in Logan?
Much like with Utah’s basketball team through the bulk of the 1990s, there was only one obvious choice if an in-state LDS recruit wanted to stay close to home and was serious about winning. In marking the 25th anniversary if BYU’s 1984 national championship, safety Kyle Morrell was asked why he chose to be a Cougar. His reply: “I wanted to win conference championships.”
Would that same kid out of Bountiful automatically choose BYU today? No one can argue he’s got more options now.
There’s also a host of more regional and even national programs that want LDS recruits. Would a player the caliber of a Manti Te’o find love at Notre Dame 30 years ago?
Given the sophistication of the current recruits, coupled with the exposure they get, today’s LDS players may not only dream of attending BYU. And if they do, they’re probably not good enough to help the Cougars get beyond the likes of the Poinsettia Bowl.
I don't think it would be fair to any recruit coming here to not make a big deal about.
–Bronco Mendenhall
Every college coach has got to sell to his program’s strengths. For Mendenhall, who already pushes the religion card more than some prefer, he trumpets the self-created core values.
Whatever is on the back of the BYU jersey is a moot point. Mendenhall couldn’t shout his message from atop Y Mountain any louder.
It’s as if he’s saying, “We value spirit, tradition and honor above anything else." He explains as much early in the recruiting process.
“I don’t think it would be fair to any recruit coming here to not make a big deal about,” he said.
Last weekend, BYU secured commitments from two non-LDS players: high school running back Cedric Dale and junior college receiver Nick Kurtz. NCAA rules prohibit coaches from commenting on unsigned recruits, but Mendenhall said the program’s core philosophies played a big part in the “great recruiting weekend.”
Often, the parents are initially more excited about BYU than the recruits.
“For the socially conservative kids out there, there’s plenty that are looking for a different option. I think we fit that,” he said. “Almost every family is impressed on how clean the campus is, then how friendly the students are, the lack of profanity they hear and the different environment. Parents are usually sold before the prospect.”
Detractors will say there goes BYU, getting all self-righteous again. Face it: Mendenhall couldn’t care less what they think.
To him, it’s what defines BYU.
