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After one of the worst seasons in recent BYU history, the Cougars are reportedly making a big change.
According to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, BYU will fire offensive coordinator Ty Detmer.
SOURCE: BYU has fired offensive coordinator Ty Detmer, who won the 1990 Heisman Trophy as the school's quarterback. Detmer spent the past two seasons at BYU after taking his first college coaching job on Kalani Sitake's staff. The Cougars went 4-9 this... https://t.co/oKQ3VBV8vn
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 27, 2017
BYU then confirmed the report, saying that “Detmer and all coaches remain under contract on the staff. BYU will immediately begin a search for a new offensive coordinator. The new coordinator will make decisions regarding the offensive staff”, so additional staff changes may very well be on the way.
That language is interesting. If Detmer is still under contract, could he perhaps be demoted, say, to QB coach, instead of offensive coordinator?
Here is a copy of the release from BYU clarifying that Detmer is relieved as BYU's Offensive Coordinator. As of now, he and all other coaches remain on staff. pic.twitter.com/DwsBExwdPr
— Zak Hicken (@zakhicken) November 27, 2017
Detmer came to BYU with a lot of fanfare. He did win the dang Heisman Trophy, after all. But the offense lagged a bit last season with two NFL players in the backfield, and completely cratered this season, en route to a 4-9 record.
BYU failed to score 20 or more points a whopping nine times. The Cougars finished 109th in S&P+, and finished a horrific 125th in offensive S&P+. On a per play basis, BYU’s offense was one of the very worst in the country.
Now, there are lots of reasons for that, not all of them Detmer’s fault. BYU’s offense, especially at quarterback and running back, suffered tons of injuries. The schedule was difficult. The talent level wasn’t as high as it’s been in other years. The list goes on.
But at the end of the day, it would be difficult to roll into next season, after this performance, without making a change.
Where BYU decides to go next, especially with the first National Signing Day so close, will be very critical to the success of the program in the near and short term.