PROVO — Twenty-five years removed from finishing an incredible college football career that culminated in winning the Heisman Trophy, Ty Detmer never looked smoother during his first public appearance as BYU's new offensive coordinator.

And in the process, sharing a platform with fellow new assistants coaches, Ed Lamb and Ilaisa Tuiaki, for the first time in a while, BYU coaches won a press conference.

Like he did in sidestepping all those mammoth defensive linemen, Detmer gracefully handled everything thrown his way in a 21-minute question-and-answer session this week with Utah media members. Now all he has to do is live up to all the excitement his hiring has created among the legions of BYU football fans starving for the glory days to return.

Since he ended a 14-year career in the NFL in 2005, BYU fans have clamored for Detmer to coach at his alma mater. He declined several overtures, including some that came from former coach LaVell Edwards until the timing was right, which is another way of saying that his family of four daughters has grown up.

"You pray about it and you get those answers," Detmer said. He "really felt like it was the time to go, the thing to do."

So he here is, at 48 years old, a rookie college coach working for a first-time head coach in Kalani Sitake. For him, it was time to say goodbye to a comfortable life in Texas that included ample time to pursue his love of hunting.

Beginning next September, Detmer will be expected to direct an offense that makes frequent stops in the end zone. Never mind that his coaching experience is limited to seven years at a small private school in Austin.

"The great thing about Ty is he's a humble person," said former BYU quarterback Robbie Bosco, who coached Detmer in college. "He'll come in here and have his staff working with him. If anybody can do it, Ty can."

Feel free to doubt him, like many did when he did as a scrawny kid coming out of high school in Texas. He left BYU having amassed 15,031 passing yards, 121 touchdown passes, 14,665 yards of total offense and with 162.7 passer rating — all NCAA records at the time.

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BYU introduced its top three assistant coaches to the media for the first time Tuesday afternoon, when offensive coordinator Ty Detmer, defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki and assistant head coach Ed Lamb sat down for lengthy sessions with a band of newspaper, television and radio reporters.

For all those accomplishments, Detmer still lasted until the ninth round of the NFL draft. Never a star, he managed to play for six teams.

Jumping from a small high school to a major college program is another challenge that Detmer intends to conquer.

"Obviously it's a big jump," Detmer said, pointing out that an acquaintance, Southern Methodist coach Chad Morris, was successful in making a similar transition from a high school in Texas. "I'll be a quick learner."

As Bosco said, great players can make great coaches. Detmer will have a good starting point with returning quarterback Tanner Mangum along with running back Jamaal Williams, who is expected to rejoin the team after sitting out last season.

He'd also welcome back Taysom Hill, the often-injured quarterback who still has one season of eligibility left but could transfer and play immediately. Detmer calls Hill probably the best athlete ever to play quarterback at BYU.

"If Taysom comes back, I fully expect those guys to push each other," Detmer said. "Two guys are better than one."

It remains to be seen, but Detmer could have a dramatic impact on recruiting, which has come under attack for the Cougars. Programs from Power 5 conferences around the country, particularly in the Pac-12, are successfully recruiting LDS players by being able to offer much more than BYU can as an independent.

Detmer's family, who will move from Texas in the summer, knows he will be gone weeks a time on the road during recruiting periods.

"I know what I'm getting into," he said. "I'm prepared to do whatever I need to do to see things continue to be successful here."

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