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PROVO — Critics and loyalists alike are screaming the same message, that BYU football is a huge disappointment this season.
Both sides are right — the once-promising season has turned into an embarrassment, the kind that can cause collateral damage. The culture, whatever that nebulous term means, desperately needs an overhaul before it's too late.
"The culture is going to keep thriving," coach Kalani Sitake said after his team lost 45-13 to Iowa State at home last week. "We have to build on the culture. We can handle tough times and adversity, that's part of life.
"No one is going to feel sorry for you, so stop feeling sorry for yourself. I don't expect a lot of pity for everybody else, so we've got to find ways to toughen up and find ways to get better. That's just what it comes down to."
Taken to the extreme, some could argue the program is broken and can improve only through widespread changes. For the more sympathetic, Sitake and his staff deserve more time to spearhead the expected rough transition into the land of Power Five football as a member of the Big 12.
Will athletic director Tom Holmoe extend the staff more time? To some extent, which is not to say every coach is safe, the answer is likely yes.
With the Big 12 on the horizon, Holmoe did sign off on replacing women's basketball coach Jeff Judkins. BYU pushed the move as Judkins retiring, but after sitting out last season he's now on the Utah women's staff.
The football program is on the clock and time is ticking away.
Look beyond the record to comprehend the justified angst. Starting with low outside expectations, for BYU to stand at 5-5 (2-5 in the Big 12) with two games left remaining is not shocking.
It's the complexion of the shameful losses that draws the ire. Over the last month, with one exception, the beleaguered Cougars have failed to compete at the minimum levels.
Nothing the coaches have done has made any difference. The last four losses, which have come by a combined score of 161-37 are reminiscent of the horrendous 4-9 season in 2017.
For sure, something has gotta change.
Likely making the decision days or even weeks earlier, Sitake fired offensive coordinator Ty Detmer the Monday after BYU concluded the 2017 season by beating Hawaii. Jeff Grimes replaced the former Heisman Trophy winner and subsequently brought in a new batch of assistants, as is often the case when a new coordinator is hired.
Last season, after the defense collapsed, BYU lured Jay Hill from his head coaching position at Weber State to become the new coordinator. Only cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford was retained.
The culprits this year are spread across the offense and defense. Even special teams, outside of punter Ryan Rehkow, has fallen short.
Tough decisions loom. Again.
After Bronco Mendenhall left to become the head coach at Virginia in 2015, the athletic administration hired Sitake with the intent of Detmer becoming the offensive coordinator. With no coaching experience outside of a lower-level high school in Texas, one of the most popular players in BYU history was overmatched once Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams departed for the NFL.
Grimes and then Aaron Roderick, who officially became the coordinator after Grimes took a similar position at Baylor two years ago, were Sitake hires. Until this season, the offense under both coaches was at least adequate.
Once the heart of the Big 12 schedule kicked in, the offense has consistently struggled. Neither the running nor passing games have shown much of anything.
The defense has not been much better lately. It has slipped to the point to where after the latest loss Sitake essentially wondered if the players believe in the coaches.
Regarding the overall downfall, is it the coaching or the playing? Yes, on both accounts.
One thing is painfully apparent: The roster needs a talent upgrade. Through recruiting, the transfer portal and internal improvement, the Cougars must get better.
