New contract for Mendenhall highlights BYU Football Media Day

PROVO — BYU Football Media Day began with a flurry of announcements, including one of a contract extension for head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

The new deal will see Mendenhall remain the coach of the Cougars through the 2016 season; his current agreement was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2013 campaign.

In a school press release, Mendenhall said. "BYU is a special place and this is a special time."

"I'm excited to build on the success of our program over past eight years, and I think there's much more that we can accomplish at BYU."

BYU AD Tom Holmoe said he is "thrilled to have Bronco signed as our head football coach through the 2016 season."

"Over the past eight seasons," said Holmoe, "his leadership has guided our football program back to national prominence through top-25 rankings, bowl victories, All-American athletes and overall excitement at LaVell Edwards Stadium. I look forward to what the next four years will bring with the new era of BYU football."

Mendenhall said of the new deal that "I don't really think it's an extension. I think the work we've done over the past eight years has reached a certain level, and I think this decision to move forward for both of us, was now, not a re-start, but a new launch, from an existing place."

"I feel not only that I was wanted, but needed, to do this, and I am anxious and I feel up to the task to move the program and advance it even farther than it is now."

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Also announced on Wednesday were a new scheduling deal with USC and a bowl agreement for the 2015 season.

BYU will play USC three times, with the first game scheduled for Sept. 14, 2019 at LaVell Edwards Stadium, and the remaining two games at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, on Nov. 27, 2021 and Nov. 25, 2023.

"We have a huge number of Cougar football fans in Southern California who will love having a chance to see their team play twice against one of the best programs in all of college football," said Holmoe. "Cougar Nation will also be excited to have USC come to Provo."

BYU has played the Trojans twice, losing 35-18 at USC in 2003, and dropping a 42-10 decision at home in 2004.

Speaking about the game in the "State of the Program" broadcast on BYUtv, Mendehall said the series is "great, and it makes complete sense."

"It's a huge market for not only members of the (LDS) Church, but it's a regional game," Mendenhall said. "When you talk about big-time programs, I think it's, in my opinion, a step across; I don't think it's a step up. I'm anxious to play them as many times as they'd like to play."

While still without an announced bowl deal in 2014, BYU has entered into an agreement to play in the Poinsettia Bowl "following the 2015 regular season and one additional season to be announced at a later date."

BYU played in the 2012 edition of the game, defeating San Diego State 23-6.

"We had a fantastic experience at the Poinsettia Bowl in December and are excited to return in 2015," Holmoe said on Wednesday. "San Diego has hosted some of the great football moments in our program's history, and I'm excited for our large fan base in Southern California to have other opportunities to see us play in person."

Holmoe says "we are in discussion with multiple bowls to fill in the blanks," in 2014, and beyond.

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Expanding on the football team's recent successes under Mendenhall, Holmoe pronounced himself "very excited about the future of our program."

"The records from the past, the status that we are right now with our coaches and our players...we have a good team," said Holmoe. "We have great fans, and great support--great resources."

Mendenhall noted that while "the numbers have been good, the more important topic is 'why have the numbers been good?'"

"It's the type of kids who come to BYU," said Mendenhall. "It's a special time, it's a special place for our program, and that really has been consistent for a long, long time here at BYU. Just the nature of the school attracts a really type of young person, and I get to coach them--and that's really fun."

"That not many win more than us is a remarkable feat," Mendenhall said Wednesday, "but it's also expected at BYU. You consider (the number of wins), top 25 finishes and the success we've had in that capacity...those two things to me are really, really important."

"The things that have happened and occurred in the past eight years," said Holmoe, "are really a platform of stepping stone into the future."

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Entering its third season as a football independent, BYU in 2013 confronts its toughest and most varied schedule of the Mendenhall era. Partnering with ESPN, BYU is scheduling attractive opponents in different geographical regions, exposing national audiences and Cougar fans to the program in ways not possible previously.

"That was one of the very important pillars that we built this independence program on, and that was to be able to get great exposure for our fans, and access for our fans," said Holmoe on Wednesday. "The exposure through ESPN has been in credible, to go and play in different parts of the country...and the future schedules will reflect that even more."

"Bronco and I agree that if we're going to go down that road and be everything we have envisioned to become, we really have to play with the big boys."

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As to BYU's future scheduling relationship with Utah, Holmoe said "I feel very secure that we will have a game" with the Utes, after the coming hiatus in 2014 and 2015.

"This relationship with Utah, behind the scenes, is really good," said Holmoe. "For us, we are very diligent at making this happen, and I would say in the near future, very near future--after the hiatus--we'll have a series in place."

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Other highlights from Mendenhall:

On his goals for the program--

"What I want to make clear is what I believe is possible at BYU is the highest level of college football--which I think is a national championship. That is my ultimate goal on the field. I am passionate about that idea; willing to pursue it, and willing to say it. I don't know when, but I think it's possible."

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On QB Taysom Hill's knee--

"I consider him healthy now; he'll probably tell you that he's 95%, but he'll be ready to go. With Taysom, the key is keeping him healthy throughout the season. Our offense will include running him, and throwing the football. Making sure he understands how to slide, that is required now--it is not optional. When to run someone over: that's off the table, because we would like him to be healthy the entire season."

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On expectations for this season and seasons to come--

"I do know that this program can achieve more. I am very...proud of what's been done, but I want more, the players want more and more is expected at this institution."

"I like the idea of 10 and 11 wins every year; I like the idea of top 10 finishes, not top 25 finishes. I like the idea of playing in a BCS bowl game, and I like the idea of playing in a national championship."

"I am re-signing a contract with those goals in mind."

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Photo: Courtesy Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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