Bronco Mendenhall has 'extreme expectations' as he begins Utah State tenure

LOGAN — On the Maverik Stadium elevator, several Utah State Aggies fans gushed about their new head football coach Bronco Mendenhall.

"That was a great message," one said.

"I'm really glad he's here," said another.

Mendenhall, a Utah native who coached at BYU for more than a decade, may be a man who needs no introduction in the Beehive State. But during Monday's introductory press conference, introducing himself — or perhaps reintroducing himself — seemed like what Mendenhall was doing.

He spoke about his desire to influence and impact young men, about community building, and the importance of family.

Mendenhall told a story about how when he was leaving Snow College, BYU wasn't interested in his football services, so he decided to only sign with teams that had the Cougars on their schedule. When his Oregon State team beat BYU, he did a snow angel at the Y painted on the 50-yard line of the Provo stadium.

In fact, very little of Mendenhall's comments surrounded what he'll do on the actual football field. The only concrete thing he said to that topic was announcing Kevin McGivin as his offensive coordinator, who was most recently at San Jose State after two prior stints as an assistant at Utah State — first in 2009, and then in 2013 and 2014.

Otherwise, Mendenhall made clear he was committed to excellence in every aspect of college football — from the win-loss record to academics to overall team culture. Athletic director Diana Sabau said that's the type of person she wanted as she evaluated the candidates for the job.

"We needed someone at Utah State for our football program who would elevate our competitive excellence, who would prioritize our academic success, and who would engage as good stewards of our community," Sabau said. "Bronco Mendenhall emerged as that leader."

University president Elizabeth Cantwell mentioned culture specifically when talking about why Mendenhall is "the right person for this time."

"He's who we need at USU to propel us into an incredible future," Cantwell said.

Sabau and Cantwell have received some criticism after they fired former coach Blake Anderson and three other members of the athletics program for violating Title IX by not appropriately reporting allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic abuse. Sabau said in August that her goal was to change the culture of the program.

When asked what role he'd play in changing the culture and perception of the football program, Mendenhall leaned on his prior experiences at BYU, Virginia and New Mexico, and how his players comported themselves under his tutelage.

"If you look at the conduct of the teams that I've coached, if you look at the cultures of the teams that I've coached — perfect? No, not possible in developing young men. Exemplary, in terms of achievement in every area in life," Mendenhall said. "Academics? Exceptional. Performance on the field? Exceptional. Character? Usually unmatched. … Completely embedded in the community and making a difference? Certainly."

Welcome HOME Coach 🤘#AggiesAllTheWaypic.twitter.com/aFrQade3Z1

— USU Football (@USUFootball) December 9, 2024

Mendenhall said improving the program's culture didn't need to be a specific conversation during his recruitment.

"It's just what I believe in," Mendenhall said.

The transfer portal opened Monday and Mendenhall admitted that while he was excited to talk to fans, donors and the media, part of him was antsy to get out there and start building his team for 2025. He said his staff is evaluating the current roster, which he admitted "didn't choose me."

He also admitted that the way he runs of a team — with "extreme expectations" — won't be for everyone. Because of that, players will leave Utah State, but he believes in "the power of choice."

"The expectations for the program will be so clear and so transparent and so consistent with fierce accountability that, really, it doesn't allow anyone to remain neutral," Mendenhall said. "You're with us or you're not. And, ultimately, people that are with us can accomplish things that are remarkable."

Mendenhall said it's "important" that Utah State schedule in-state contests with the likes of Utah and BYU, and that making those games happen will be a partnership between him and the athletic department.

"I'll have some influence," he said.

Mendenhall called the move to Utah State "a life-changing moment" for he and his family. His mother still lives in Alpine, and the opportunity to coach the Aggies while also having the support of his family in the same state, he said, was why he chose to leave New Mexico after just one season.

"This is just the beginning," Mendenhall said. "I'm looking forward to it."

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