Bow to Bronco
by Zach Bloxham on Dec 31, 2011 9:02 AM PST
in BYU Football
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PrintBronco Mendenhall is an elite defensive coordinator. From his time in Albuquerque under the tutelage of Rocky Long to his days learning the ropes in Provo while defensive coordinator to Gary Crowton to today, Mendenhall has always been respected for his tenacity and innovation. As he has matured as a football mind, he has continued to improve in all aspects of his craft. This leads me to ask:
Just what could Bronco accomplish if he were not restrained to the type of second-rate (on the whole) defensive talent that fits the BYU mold of player?
I have no doubt that Mendenhall would be even more dynamic as a defensive coordinator if given the chance to coach the caliber of talent that say a John Chavis (LSU), Manny Diaz (Texas), or Kirby Smart (Alabama) get to work with. Mendenhall's use of the 3-4 scheme, one that is rare in the college game, makes him that much more of a top-tier talent. He simply has a knack for the game of football. One glance at BYU's defensive statistics over his time in Provo, even during the dark years of the Crowton regime, and you will find a coach who squeezes every last bit of talent juice out of his players. Sure, he gets the occasional Brian Urlacher, Aaron Francisco, Andrew Rich, or Kyle Van Noy, but for the most part, it is a bunch of athletes willing to buy into what Bronco is selling them because they have something to prove.
With that idea in mind, Jeff McIntyre (known as @Mac_Diego on the Twittershere) raised some salient points on this idea:
What do you think? Could Bronco Mendenhall get high caliber athletes to buy into his system? Is he even an elite defensive coordinator? We submit these questions to you as your Saturday deliberation.
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Without A Doubt
At one time, BYU was able to get the big name people to come to Provo and play. After Edwards left the program, we starting having issues.
With the decision to go independent and ESPN TV deal, we are able to put our name out there more easily. The basketball team amazing run last year with Jimmer, the name Jimmer itself, the positive reaction from the Davies conflict, and stuff like that has put BYU’s name out there more.
Our upcoming schedules favor us in publicity. If we can prove to compete with a Texas, Georgia Tech, Utah team then kids will want to play for us. We have to prove that if they come here we can make them stars.
Also, being indepedenent we don’t have to share the bowl winnings with a conference. That money is ours. More money to recruit means we can start to recruit more players.
I think the idea that Bronco does well coaching players who have something to prove has a lot of merit. Those are the players he understands how to motivate, because that’s who he is.
That also explains why there would be some tension between Mendenhall (and a mendenhall type player) and a Jake Heaps. A player who thinks he has been slighted uses resentment as motivation – resentment towards players who get opportunity handed to them on a silver platter.
by Keith Harten on Dec 31, 2011 10:29 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
That’s not to say the tension or resentment towards Heaps was justified. I just think Bronco has a particular philosophy based on who he is. It’s how he attracts players and motivates them. It’s part of why he is such a great fit for BYU and why his teams are so competitive.
by Keith Harten on Dec 31, 2011 10:34 AM PST up reply actions
Something I admire about BYU
Not just the football team but all sports and the school in general, is the fact they care more about the person and making them a better person than gaining the big name player who is going to cause trouble and be a distraction to the team. They would rather get one Austin Collies than they would five Terrell Owens.
by king.nothing on Dec 31, 2011 10:41 AM PST up reply actions
Spot On
Great comment. Mendenhall coached a similar skill set of player at New Mexico. It would be a whole new world for him to coach a bunch of blue-chippers. I’d like to have a camera crew follow that process if it ever comes to fruition.
by Zach Bloxham on Dec 31, 2011 10:52 AM PST up reply actions
5 star athletes are 5 star athletes
Based on their own abilities not the system (mostly). You would have to get a humble guy to want to buy into a different system/style than to which they are accustomed. Coaches like bronco make the 3 stars 4 /5 stars bc he gets them to believe they are better and okay better. I know doubt feel he would take an lsu or bans team as far adsthey are now but he would run into problems with elite athletes that dont want to change he thrives with byu bc he can get players to play above their talent (cliché) and can get 7-8 win teams to 10 wins. Nelson bought in and I don’t feel heaps bought in and that’s why he left bc he wasn’t invested in the idea that the harder working more successful player plays not the number of stars next to his name.
by larry_funderburke on Dec 31, 2011 10:59 AM PST via mobile reply actions
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