BYU: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2016–now

Kalani Sitake Steady ◆ COY

Kalani Sitake moved BYU from National Program I to Power Program III in 11 seasons.

2020 offense ranked in the 99th percentile nationally — elite

vs. Utah

−1.8 pts over 11 seasons · bottom 14% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Rick Stockstill’s Middle Tennessee run (2006–2023)

4th-best BYU tenure of 9 by the numbers.

Followed Bronco Mendenhall (2005–2015).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Record & result
Record	9-4	4-9	7-6	7-6	11-1	10-3	8-5	5-7	11-2	12-2	7-1
Postseason	W bowl	—	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	—	W bowl	W bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#49	#66	#78	#81	#78	#71	#55	#66	#44	#55	#21
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	43.1	50.9	43.6	50.2	46.9	44.8	47.2	52.4	45.5	43.3	43.6
Coordinators
OC	Ty Detmer	Ty Detmer	Jeff Grimes	Jeff Grimes	Jeff Grimes	Aaron Roderick	Aaron Roderick	Aaron Roderick	Aaron Roderick	Aaron Roderick	Aaron Roderick
DC	Ilaisa Tuiaki	Ilaisa Tuiaki	Ilaisa Tuiaki	Ilaisa Tuiaki	Ilaisa Tuiaki	Ilaisa Tuiaki	Ilaisa Tuiaki	Jay Hill	Jay Hill	Jay Hill	Kelly Poppinga
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	41	19	79	69	99	95	81	10	47	82	70
Defense	91	51	77	60	85	27	12	39	59	76	63
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	37.5	42.5	42.8	49.3	59.2	55.8	51.5	52.2	49.6	41.0	49.3
Red-zone pass%	28.3	40.2	38.8	46.2	41.9	43.0	43.3	50.0	32.5	39.8	36.0
4th-down go%opp. territory	31.1	34.1	36.7	23.3	63.3	46.2	40.6	37.9	38.3	40.8	38.9

Recruiter or developer?

Outperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

+14.0 pts

#53 of 208 · top quarter

Defense vs. talent

+9.3 pts

#64 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A typical amount of portal roster-building.

Portal arrivals

3.1★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-34

#125 of 187 FBS stints

Notable portal arrivals with a modeled NIL value

Bear Bachmeier On3 modeled · $2,000,000

On3’s modeled estimate (social reach / exposure), not money actually paid — shown per player, never totaled.

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′3″, 247 lbs

across 55 of 60 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+6.9 lbs

#52 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#35 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: UT (23), CA (11), AZ (5), NV (3), GA (2)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

59.2

position-weighted

Talent lost

58.8

position-weighted

Net

+0.4

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Kedon Slovis (QB) from Pittsburgh

Biggest loss: Jake Retzlaff (QB) to the portal

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Ty Detmer → Jeff Grimes · 2018The offense leveled up

2-season window either side.

1st-down pass rate: 40.0% → 46.1% (+6.0 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 88% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Jeff Grimes → Aaron Roderick · 2021The system held

2-season window either side.

1st-down pass rate: 54.2% → 53.6% (-0.6 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 48% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Ilaisa Tuiaki → Jay Hill · 2023The defense improved

2-season window either side.

DC: Jay Hill → Kelly Poppinga · 2026

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

208 lbs

6′2″ avg · #533 of 767 · middle half

Running back

216 lbs

6′0″ avg · #106 of 791 · top quarter

Wide receiver

198 lbs

6′2″ avg · #152 of 791 · top quarter

Tight end

247 lbs

6′4″ avg · #292 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

310 lbs

6′5″ avg · #360 of 779 · middle half

D-line

290 lbs

6′3″ avg · #256 of 753 · middle half

Linebacker

232 lbs

6′2″ avg · #232 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

184 lbs

6′0″ avg · #655 of 771 · bottom quarter

Safety

199 lbs

6′1″ avg · #126 of 346 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Punter from high school

100%

#29 of 29 stints

Grows Kicker from high school

80%

#52 of 56 stints

Postseason detail2016: Beat Wyoming 24-21 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl2018: Beat Western Michigan 49-18 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl2019: Lost to Hawai'i 34-38 Sofi Hawai'i Bowl2020: Beat UCF 49-23 RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl2021: Lost to UAB 28-31 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl2022: Beat SMU 24-23 New Mexico Bowl2024: Beat Colorado 36-14 Valero Alamo Bowl2025: Beat Georgia Tech 25-21 Pop-Tarts Bowl

15 NFL Draft picks: Jamaal Williams (2017), Fred Warner (2018), Sione Takitaki (2019), Zach Wilson (2021), Brady Christensen (2021), Khyiris Tonga (2021), Chris Wilcox (2021), Dax Milne (2021) + 7 more

Coach of the Year: Big 12 Chuck Neinas Coach of the Year (2025)

2 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Brady Christensen (2020), Keelan Marion (2024)

AI Narratives — “BYU's Offensive Line Faces Pressure After Offseason Exodus” and 5 more on the team page.

−1.8

91-46

2005–2015

Bronco Mendenhall Steady≈

Bronco Mendenhall moved the Cougars from National Program II to Power Program III in 11 seasons.

2006 offense ranked in the 99th percentile nationally — elite

vs. Utah

+10.2 pts over 11 seasons · bottom 40% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Les Miles’s LSU run (2005–2016)

3rd-best BYU tenure of 9 by the numbers.

Followed Gary Crowton (2001–2004) · succeeded by Kalani Sitake (2016–now).

System Shift, on departure

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Record & result
Record	6-6	11-2	11-2	10-3	11-2	7-6	10-3	8-5	8-5	8-5	9-4
Postseason	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	L bowl	L bowl
Recruiting rank	#61	#65	#43	#45	#55	#33	#69	#71	#66	#64	#65
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	55.2	50.8	50.5	53.8	47.1	45.2	48.4	49.7	40.2	46.0	55.0
Coordinators
OC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Robert Anae	Robert Anae
DC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Nick Howell	Nick Howell
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	92	99	92	93	95	60	75	56	78	74	71
Defense	11	81	79	15	82	95	90	92	91	75	87
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	55.7	55.4	45.7	52.6	45.7	38.3	40.3	46.8	37.4	50.5	55.3
Red-zone pass%	37.8	39.5	38.9	41.6	51.3	34.1	41.3	46.8	38.1	40.6	46.7
4th-down go%opp. territory	29.0	28.0	35.5	20.0	23.1	25.0	20.6	40.9	22.9	43.6	31.4

Recruiter or developer?

Outperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+20.5 pts

#39 of 208 · top quarter

Defense vs. talent

+36.8 pts

#3 of 208 · top quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Postseason detail2005: Lost to California 28-35 Bowl2006: Beat Oregon 38-8 Bowl2007: Beat UCLA 17-16 Bowl2008: Lost to Arizona 21-31 Bowl2009: Beat Oregon State 44-20 Bowl2010: Beat UTEP 52-24 New Mexico Bowl2011: Beat Tulsa 24-21 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl2012: Beat San Diego State 23-6 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl2013: Lost to Washington 16-31 Fight Hunger Bowl2014: Lost to Memphis 48-55 Miami Beach Bowl2015: Lost to Utah 28-35 Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl

9 NFL Draft picks: Todd Watkins (2006), John Beck (2007), Bryan Kehl (2008), Austin Collie (2009), Fui Vakapuna (2009), Dennis Pitta (2010), Ezekiel Ansah (2013), Kyle Van Noy (2014) + 1 more

+10.2

99-43

2001–2004

Gary Crowton Steady

Gary Crowton slid the Cougars from Power Program III to National Program II in 4 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

vs. Utah

−10.8 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 10% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Danny Hope’s Purdue run (2009–2012)

2nd-best BYU tenure of 9 by the numbers.

Followed LaVell Edwards (1972–2000) · succeeded by Bronco Mendenhall (2005–2015).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2001	2002	2003	2004
Record & result
Record	12-2	5-7	4-8	5-6
Postseason	L bowl	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	#51
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	52.6
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	29
Defense	—	—	—	37
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	54.6
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	40.0
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Interior line from high school

100%

#198 of 224 stints

Postseason detail2001: Lost to Louisville 10-28 Bowl

11 NFL Draft picks: Doug Jolley (2002), Ryan Denney (2002), Brandon Doman (2002), Luke Staley (2002), Brett Keisel (2002), Dustin Rykert (2003), Spencer Nead (2003), Colby Bockwoldt (2004) + 3 more

−10.8

26-23

1972–2000

LaVell Edwards Transformer

LaVell Edwards took BYU from Regional Program II to Blue Blood.

vs. Utah

+39.5 pts over 29 seasons · top 4% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Nick Saban’s Alabama run (2007–2023)

1st-best BYU tenure of 9 by the numbers.

Followed Tommy Hudspeth (1964–1971) · succeeded by Gary Crowton (2001–2004).

Season	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
Record & result
Record	7-4	5-6	7-4-1	6-5	9-3	9-2	9-4	11-1	12-1	11-2	8-4	11-1	13-0	11-3	8-5	9-4	9-4	10-3	10-3	8-3-2	8-5	6-6	10-3	7-4	14-1	6-5	9-5	8-4	6-6
Postseason	—	—	L bowl	—	L bowl	—	L bowl	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	L bowl	L bowl	W bowl	L bowl	L bowl	L bowl	L bowl	L bowl	W bowl	—	W bowl	—	L bowl	L bowl	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1974: Lost to Oklahoma State 6-16 Bowl1976: Lost to Oklahoma State 21-49 Bowl1978: Lost to Navy 16-23 Bowl1979: Lost to Indiana 37-38 Bowl1980: Beat SMU 46-45 Bowl1981: Beat Washington State 38-36 Bowl1982: Lost to Ohio State 17-47 Bowl1983: Beat Missouri 21-17 Bowl1984: Beat Michigan 24-17 Bowl1985: Lost to Ohio State 7-10 Bowl1986: Lost to UCLA 10-31 Bowl1987: Lost to Virginia 16-22 Bowl1988: Beat Colorado 20-17 Bowl1989: Lost to Penn State 39-50 Bowl1990: Lost to Texas A&M 14-65 Bowl1991: Tied Iowa 13-13 Bowl1992: Lost to Kansas 20-23 Bowl1993: Lost to Ohio State 21-28 Bowl1994: Beat Oklahoma 31-6 Bowl1996: Beat Wyoming 28-25 Bowl1996: Beat Kansas State 19-15 Bowl1998: Lost to Air Force 13-20 Bowl1998: Lost to Tulane 27-41 Bowl1999: Lost to Marshall 3-21 Bowl

54 NFL Draft picks: Paul Howard (1973), Pete Van Valkenburg (1973), Gary Sheide (1975), Wayne Baker (1975), Paul Linford (1975), Brad Oates (1976), Stan Varner (1976), Dave Hubbard (1977) + 46 more

+39.5

257-101-3

1964–1971

Tommy Hudspeth Builder

Tommy Hudspeth raised BYU from Regional Program V to Regional Program I.

vs. Utah

+15.0 pts over 8 seasons · top 8% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mark Mangino’s Kansas run (2002–2009)

6th-best BYU tenure of 9 by the numbers.

Followed Hal Mitchell (1961–1963) · succeeded by LaVell Edwards (1972–2000).

+15.0

39-42-1

1961–1963

Hal Mitchell Steady

Hal Mitchell held the Cougars at Regional Program V for 3 seasons.

vs. Utah

−1.4 pts over 3 seasons · top 40% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mark Whipple’s Massachusetts run (2014–2018)

8th-best BYU tenure of 9 by the numbers.

Followed Tally Stevens (1959–1960) · succeeded by Tommy Hudspeth (1964–1971).

−1.4

8-22

1959–1960

Tally Stevens Short tenure

vs. Utah

6-15

1956–1958

Harold Kopp Steady

Harold Kopp moved BYU from Regional Program VI to Regional Program V in 3 seasons.

vs. Utah

+3.4 pts over 3 seasons · top 19% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Butch Jones’s Cincinnati run (2010–2012)

9th-best BYU tenure of 9 by the numbers.

Followed Charles Atkinson (1949–1955) · succeeded by Tally Stevens (1959–1960).

+3.4

13-14-3

1949–1955

Charles Atkinson Steady

Charles Atkinson slid the Cougars from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 7 seasons.

vs. Utah

−9.1 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 7% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Thomas Hammock’s Northern Illinois run (2019–2025)

7th-best BYU tenure of 9 by the numbers.

Followed Edwin Kimball (1946–1948) · succeeded by Harold Kopp (1956–1958).

−9.1

18-49-3

1937–1941, 1946–1948

Edwin Kimball Steady

Edwin Kimball slid the Cougars from Regional Program I to Regional Program IV in 8 seasons.

vs. Utah

−8.0 pts over 8 seasons · bottom 10% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jim Caldwell’s Wake Forest run (1993–2000)

5th-best BYU tenure of 9 by the numbers.

Followed Ott Romney (1936) · succeeded by Floyd Millet (1942) · returned in 1946 · succeeded by Charles Atkinson (1949–1955).

−8.0

34-32-8

1942

Floyd Millet Short tenure

vs. Utah

2-5

1936

Ott Romney Short tenure

vs. Utah

4-5