Patrick Kinahan: Changes have significantly improved BYU


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SALT LAKE CITY — From last season’s nightmare to now, the BYU football program has undergone a startling transformation.

Look no further than the two games with Wisconsin, home last season and this year before a crowd of 80,000 in Madison. The difference between the two results — the Cougars were absolutely pitiful and got drilled at home last year but stunned the college football world by winning last week — borders on the unbelievable.

So what has changed?

“The culture of the team is taking form and the players believe,” said coach Kalani Sitake. “We talk about developing a strong belief in what we’re doing and what we represent and how we play the game, and I’m really pleased with how the guys are doing it.”

Sounds good, but there’s got to be more than attitude and belief. After all, faith without works is dead.

From the outside, the biggest overhaul revolves around the coaching staff. Sitake hired six new assistant coaches in the offseason, with five of them joining the offensive staff.

Therein lies the difference.

This year’s offensive staff, headed by coordinator Jeff Grimes, is far more experienced than the previous staff. After last season’s disaster, Sitake decided to hire Grimes to replace Ty Detmer, who was brought in by the administration despite having never coached at the college level.

Rather than slam Detmer and the prior assistants, the point here is to emphasize the confidence the new offensive coaches have instilled in their players. While not overwhelming, the results have been good enough to win two out of three games.

“To answer that question about change I kind of have to reflect on the previous staff and I don’t want to do that right now,” said assistant head coach Ed Lamb. “What I think our offensive staff has brought is just impeccable level of attention to detail and accountability. They really hold themselves to that same level, so they lead by example and they’re absolutely tireless workers.”

Against Power Five competition last season, the BYU offense scored a total of 29 points over four games. In the first three games this season against Arizona, Cal and Wisconsin, the offense has combined to score 63 points.

Grimes and his staff, including passing coordinator Aaron Roderick, created a masterful game plan against then No. 6 Wisconsin designed to keep stretch out the defense with jet sweeps and create enough inside space for running back Squally Canada. The one perfectly timed trick play resulted in a touchdown pass from a receiver to a tight end.

“I give an immense amount of credit to Jeff Grimes and his staff for coming in here and putting together and tremendous plan,” ABC television analyst Brock Huard said in the closing seconds of the broadcast.

Sitake echoed Huard’s sentiment saying: “I was just really pleased with what they’re doing as a staff. Grimes has no ego. He works really well with that staff.”

For years, even back to his time as the defensive coordinator at Utah, Sitake wanted to build a program that emphasized size and strength in the trenches on both sides of the ball. It has taken time, but Sitake’s plan is coming to fruition in his third season at BYU.

The offensive and defensive lines not only held their own against Wisconsin, a program known for beef up front, but at times dominated the game. The toughness and physicality of both lines is the primary reason the Cougars got their first road win over a top 10 team since 1984 against Pittsburgh.

The coaches certainly have made a mark, but ultimately the players have to perform on the field on game day. They have bought in.

“They’re doing everything the right way, and I just proud of them,” Sitake said. “We’ve got great leaders that are taking over and good competition.

“You give me too much credit. These are good kids. We’re just trying to use their strength to get them in the position to have success.”

The task now is to keep it going.


![Patrick Kinahan](http://img.ksl.com/slc/2634/263499/26349940\.jpg?filter=ksl/65x65)
About the Author: Patrick Kinahan \---------------------------------

Patrick is a radio host for 97.5/1280 The Zone and the Zone Sports Network. He, along with David James, are on the air Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

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