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PROVO — Gerry Bohanon's assertive nature grabbed hold of Jeff Grimes almost immediately.
The former BYU offensive coordinator had recently taken on the same role for Baylor in early January 2021 when Grimes received a call while driving his truck. On the other end of the line was Bohanon, excitedly peppering Grimes with all manner of questions, including a request for a playbook, to which Grimes responded with a chuckle, "I'm not even there yet.'"
Grimes recapped this, among other anecdotes, during a recent interview with ESPN 960 in which his praise was nothing short of effusive for Bohanon. That first call set the stage for a strong relationship that persists to this day.
"Gerry Bohanon is one of my all-time favorite players in (my) 30 years of doing this," Grimes said.
He painted several pictures of Bohanon, beginning with the lasting eagerness and work ethic displayed throughout the months leading up to the 2021 football season. Those two qualities often saw Bohanon as the first to arrive at the football facilities and the last to leave, often outlasting many Baylor coaches in doing as much.
That work ethic warranted a lot of admiration from Grimes; and although Bohanon's course didn't end up as planned, the two remain close to this day.
"I think we have a mutual respect," Grimes said.
Initial success
Bohanon went on to start for Baylor during the 2021 season, leading the Bears to a 12-2 record and a 21-7 Sugar Bowl win over Ole Miss. He threw for 2,200 yards and 18 touchdowns against seven interceptions while rushing for 323 yards and nine touchdowns.
It was well assumed that Bohanon would maintain his starting role with Baylor in 2022 before things changed considerably. Despite Bohanon's success, Baylor coaches opted to give the starting nod to then-sophomore Blake Shapen following an intense position battle during the spring practice session.
The decision was as tough on Grimes as any he's made during his coaching career, and he was quick to point out the several factors that went into it.
"It was an incredibly challenging decision, and it wasn't just made by me," Grimes said. "It was myself, the head coach, the position coach — the three of us sort of worked through it together."
The decision also very well may have gone the other way, which could have changed the course of Bohanon's career, and even perhaps Grimes' own career.
"It came down to the wire. It was almost like we could have flipped a coin. It was hard — really hard," Grimes said. "And I cried when I told him that we were making that decision. It was really, really tough. … I care so much for Gerry and I respect him so much."
That respect was shown through coaches announcing the decision soon after the spring practice session, allowing Bohanon to explore other opportunities rather than sit on the bench. Sure, retaining Bohanon would have added valuable depth to the position, but for Grimes, looking out for his player's best interest was and is his primary prerogative.
Bohanon opted to transfer to South Florida where many assumed he'd provide a big boost to a rising Bulls football program.
All eyes on quarterbacks as BYU football opens spring practices
If there was a hostile competition between the two on Day 1 of the spring, Retzlaff wasn't showing it.Rising to subsequent challenges
As most BYU football fans know, things didn't go according to plan for Bohanon at South Florida, where he incurred a severe torn labrum, surgery and a lengthy recovery process that preempted any play during the following football season. The Bulls won just a single game during Bohanon's stay in Tampa due in no small part to that injury, which was sustained midway through the season.
The lengthy recovery process ultimately led Bohanon to leave South Florida to BYU, where he hopes his third collegiate stop will prove the ultimate charm for his final year of eligibility.
"Although he's been somewhat of a journeyman, he's a guy who helped us win a Big12 championship and played in a Sugar Bowl that we won," Grimes said. "He's been in a lot of football games. He's competed for jobs numerous times."
And he likely doesn't lack initiative and drive, according to those who know him best. Despite incurring several physical and competitive setbacks over his career, Grimes believes it all will shape Bohanon into perhaps his best form.
"He's going to walk in and wear those things, and wear them proudly," Grimes said. "But at the same time, he has a very humble spirit with how he relates to other people. His work ethic is going to prove himself to his teammates."
Current prospects
Grimes believes Bohanon's injury issues are behind him, and that he should begin his bid for BYU's signal caller with a clean bill of health, allowing him to put his abilities on full display.
"He has that unique build where you look at him and are like, 'Wow, he can do a lot of things,'" Grimes said of the 6-foot-3, 226 pound athlete. "When I was at LSU, and he was coming out (of high school), we tried to recruit him as a linebacker. … He's a physical presence when he walks up on you, and he plays big. He can run through tackles and take a shot, and then stand right back up. So I think that size and that grown man's strength is going to show up."
But Bohanon doesn't just present a physical presence.
"He's a really big athlete that can run and change direction, and he can make throws," Grimes continued. "He can throw down the field, he can throw with touch and (the opposite field outside the hash throw), which, to me, is kind of the standard for arm strength. … He's a unique all-around player."
He's also a player who feels familiar with BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick's system — a system that was initially designed by Grimes, BYU receivers coach Fesi Sitake, but by no one as much as Roderick. That familiarity could prove a tremendous boost to Bohanon as he battles with players such as Jake Retzlaff, Cade Fennegan and several others for the starting spot this coming fall.
"I think that's a great advantage for him," Grimes said. "A lot of what he'll do are things that we sort of came up with together (at BYU), and it was going to be the core of our offense. It's certainly not my offense now — it's (Roderick's) and he's done a great job evolving and developing. … But at the core, there's a lot of things he's done … and I'd imagine there's going to be a lot of the same terminology."
Analysis
Throughout the interview conducted with Grimes, I couldn't help but sense at least some regret in opting not to name Bohanon as Baylor's starter in 2022. Perhaps I'm projecting, but the mere fact that Grimes took time to offer comments on Bohanon speaks to that notion.
Grimes, obviously, holds Bohanon in high esteem, and it's notable that he was willing to go on record when he didn't have to. It speaks to both Grimes' affection, but perhaps even more importantly, his belief in Bohanon's ability in reprising the promise he showed during the 2021 season and even improving upon it.
