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BYU Hires Former QB Jason Beck, Guy Holliday to Offensive Staff

February 16, 2013

By: Danny Holmgren

Yesterday BYU announced the hirings of Jason Beck as quarterbacks coach and Guy Holliday as receivers coach. Beck was a former quarterback for BYU, but this isn’t the “J. Beck” jersey that started for the Cougars and has played in the NFL for six seasons. Since the re-hiring of offensive coordinator, Robert Anae, in January the offensive staff of BYU has been in uncertainty.

I’m surprised that this uncertainty remained through last week’s National Signing Day, as unknown coaching hires could potentially dissuade recruits from signing on the dotted line to play for the Cougars. As recently as last week, Coach Mendenhall had said that he had hoped to get the coaching hirings all made within a couple of weeks. With these recent hirings BYU can now look towards opening spring camp and implementing a new offensive strategy.

Jason Beck

Jason BeckBeck played quarterback for BYU from 2004-2006 and logged just one start during that time. Since graduation, Beck has been quick to progress through the coaching ranks. He began as an intern at LSU, learning under then-offensive coordinator Gary Crowton. His first real “coaching” position came as passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach for Ron McBride at Weber State from 2009-2011. During that time Beck coached Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins, who now holds many of the key passing records in the Big Sky Conference.

After the 2011 season Beck was offered a position as the offensive coordinator at Simon Fraser University, a Division II school in Canada. During his one season as offensive coordinator, Beck took over an SFU offense that ranked last in most major offensive categories in their conference and turned them in to the No.1 offense in passing offense, scoring offense, and total offense.

While Beck is young and has only six years of coaching experience, those six years have produced results that qualify him for the position he is taking. An academic All-American in junior college before joining BYU, Beck has shown that he has both the smarts and savvy to elevate the play of the player he coaches on a variety of different levels. Having played at BYU and observed much of what makes a successful D1 quarterback, Beck should be a terrific addition to the BYU staff.

Guy Holliday

Guy HollidayHolliday is new to Provo, but brings a long career of coaching with him. During his 22 years of coaching, he has been a receivers and tight ends coach, offensive coordinator, and recruiting coordinator. His coaching positions have taken him from Division II coaching where he began with Clark Atlanta University to the SEC where he coached at Mississippi State. Most recently Holliday has served as the receiver’s coach at UTEP, where his coaching has resulted in 70 WR touchdown catches over the past four seasons. He has also held the wide receivers position at Cornell and Western Michigan.

Holliday’s certainly appears to have a knack for coaching wide receivers as he has coached several receivers to 1,000+ receiving yard and 10+ TD catch seasons. Although BYU’s offense struggled to get the ball down the field the last two seasons, Holliday has a slew of veteran wide receivers returning including Poinsettia Bowl Offensive MVP Cody Hoffman, Ross Apo, and JD Falslev. The wide receivers were really the least of the problems in an up-and-down passing campaign in 2011-2012 which featured poor quarterback play, a weak offensive line, and a series of injuries to key players. With offensive coordinator Robert Anae back running the offense, the focus has been on beefing up the offensive line. With a healthy quarterback, Coach Holliday should see great success from his new and returning receivers.

The hirings of Beck and Holliday should just about round out a complete overhaul of the BYU offensive coaching staff. They join offensive coordinator Robert Anae, running back coach Mark Atuaia, and offensive line coach Garret Tujague, who were hired earlier in January.


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Former Cougar Dennis Pitta Gets Super Bowl Ring

February 4, 2013
Former BYU tight end Dennis Pitta catches a TD in 2nd quarter of Super Bowl XLVII.

Former BYU tight end Dennis Pitta catches a TD in 2nd quarter of Super Bowl XLVII.

BYU’s all-time leading receptions leader scored a TD in the second quarter of Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday. Pitta, the all-time receptions leader in BYU history, caught 4 catches for 26 yards for the Ravens, who beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31.

Pitta emerged as a go-to receiver for Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco in 2012, catching 61 balls for 669 yards and 7 TDs. In the playoffs, Pitta was clutch for the Ravens with 12 receptions for 136 yards and 2 TDs.

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Way-Too-Early Predictions for 2013

January 31, 2013

By: Jeff Hansen

Jamaal Williams looks to lead BYU in his sophomore season

Jamaal Williams looks to lead BYU in his sophomore season

It’s January 31, the Super Bowl has yet to be played, and I’m already having football withdrawals. I refresh Twitter every 30 seconds or so hoping that some news about a new recruit, a new coach or a new scheduling agreement will appear on my timeline so that I can feel like football isn’t so far away. On January 28, BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe threw all of us starving-for-football fans a bone and officially released the 2013 schedule. Let’s take a look at the match-ups:

August 31: at Virginia

The Cavaliers will be a very formidable opening game opponent for BYU. This game will feature three new coordinators (well two and a half). Virginia will bring a new offensive and defensive coordinator and BYU will debut the return of Offensive Coordinator, Robert Anae. A lot of questions will be answered the first week:

How fast will BYU’s offense be?

How is Taysom Hill’s knee?

Will the defense dominate like it did in 2013?

There are a lot of storylines, but this is a very winnable game for BYU.

Prediction: BYU wins by two touchdowns

September 7: vs. Texas

A home opener against Texas? Quick, Tom Holmoe! Join a conference because Independence will never work!

Texas is the best home opener that BYU has had in years. The Longhorns bring a solid team to the field next year. They return 22 players with starting experience, and 17 of those ended the year in the starting lineup. A stellar defense, experienced quarterback play and that famous Texas orange make this a tough game for BYU. The Cougars should hang close for a while, but ultimately, Texas gets the W.

Prediction: Texas wins by 10

September 21: vs. Utah

We all remember, the bumper stickers won’t let us forget, Utah beat BYU 54-10 the last time they travelled to Provo. Win or lose, BYU cannot do that again.

Things look good on paper for BYU. Utah lost a lot of their biggest playmakers from last year (Star Lotulelei, John White IV, Joe Kruger, DeVonte Christopher) and will be a very young team heading into 2013. Both local teams have a lot of question marks going into the season, but ultimately, the home field advantage of LES and the experience of BYU should be enough to put the Cougars over the top. It’s a rivalry game though, anything can happen.

Prediction: BYU wins by a touchdown

September 27: vs. Middle Tennessee State

The Cougars will have their third home game in a row against Middle Tennessee State. Just because you’ve never heard of MTSU, doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable. The Blue Raiders were 8-4 last year and are a team on the rise. If BYU doesn’t come ready to play, MTSU could sneak an upset win in Provo. BYU is more talented, has better coaching, and will be at home, however.

Prediction: BYU comes ready to play, wins by more than two touchdowns

October 4: at Utah State

In my opinion, this will be the best game of the year. The Aggies once again feature the dynamic Chuckie Keeton at quarterback. Though Kerwynn Williams is gone, running back Joe Hill has proven to be a talented successor. Two years ago, Riley Nelson led BYU to a late game comeback win. Last year, Taysom Hill led BYU to a hard fought 6-3 victory. Aggie fans feel BYU got lucky both times and they will do their best to make sure BYU doesn’t get lucky in Logan. Utah State lost their best asset this last year, Gary Andersen, and that is the reason BYU can get over the top.

Prediction: BYU wins by a field goal.. again

October 12: vs. Georgia Tech

BYU went to Atlanta last year and brought the Jamaal Williams show with them. The Cougars dismantled Georgia Tech and beat them at their own game; running the ball. Williams went for four scores and forced ESPN announcers to remind us he was just 17 with each and every carry. Georgia Tech will be much more prepared for Williams this time around. The game is in Provo, BYU traditionally does well against the option-run, and the Cougars won easily on the road last year, so this game should be in the bag, right? Well, “not so fast my friend.” This game will be close.

Prediction: BYU wins by a touchdown in the biggest nail biter of the year

October 19: (somewhere in Texas) vs. Houston

The location of this game has yet to be announced. I know BYU loves to play games at Jerry Jones’ Deathstar, but I’m not sure a BYU vs. Houston match-up is a big enough draw to fill the stands. Nevertheless, the game will be played somewhere. Houston is coming off a 5-7 season and struggled more and more as the season went on. This is a game that BYU should win easily regardless of where it’s played.

Prediction: BYU wins by more than two touchdowns

October 26: vs. Boise State

Boise State comes to Provo. This game, as Tom Holmoe put it, seems destined to be on ESPN. I’d be willing to bet October 26 turns into October 25. Not much to break down here, two evenly matched teams battling for bragging rights and regional pride. If BYU isn’t wearing their royal blue throw backs or a new all black jersey for this game, then there will be protest. This game will be a big statement game for BYU nationally.

Prediction: BYU falls short. Lose by a touchdown

November 9: at Wisconsin

Gary Andersen hated playing BYU when he was at Utah State. He snuck out a win against a bad BYU team in Logan in 2010, but was unable to top the Cougars during the rest of his time as the Aggie head coach. Now, Andersen will be playing the same BYU team, with Big Ten talent. Wisconsin isn’t quite as dominant as they’ve been in years past, but this game gets ugly for the Cougars.

Prediction: Wisconsin wins BIG

November 16: Idaho State

Senior day comes a little early this year at LaVell Edwards stadium. Not much to say about this game other than “thank you seniors” and “we’re sorry Idaho State.”

Prediction: BYU wins BIG

November 23: at Notre Dame

Many fans talk about how we got Riley’d in South Bend last year. If Riley would have just completed one pass, we wouldn’t have had to watch the Irish get destroyed in the National Championship. The Irish lose the offensive players that killed BYU most (Cierre Wood and Tyler Eiffert) and lose the all-too-controversial Manti Te’o. Notre Dame will not be as good as they were last year, although head coach Brian Kelly seems capable of reloading quickly.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, it’s still Notre Dame, it’s still South Bend and it’s a big Thanksgiving game. The homer in me wants to say BYU wins.

Prediction: Notre Dame wins by ten.. the homer in me lost.

November 30: at Nevada

It’s a homecoming farewell for Kyle Van Noy. The dynamic linebacker gets to go home to play his last regular season game for BYU. Last time Nevada played BYU, Colin Kaepernick ran all over the field and John Bender took out all of his childhood frustrations on the backside of Romney Fuga’s knee. No chance BYU (more specifically, KVN) let’s Nevada upset the Cougars this time.

Prediction: BYU wins by two touchdowns

Sometime in December: at San Francisco, Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

Final Prediction: 9-4 after bowl win

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Why the Big 12 Needs BYU

January 29, 2013

By: Danny Holmgren

big12_logo

Let me be clear. I like independence. I think independence has been good to BYU. 2013 looks to be the most exciting (and challenging) schedule that BYU has ever had. Joining one of the major conferences is not, at this point, critical to the livelihood of the BYU football program. Yes, the landscape of college football changes almost on a daily basis and aligning yourself in a position to make sure you’re not left out is important. I get that.  But for right now, BYU is in a good position.

That being said, I think the Big 12 would be crazy not to want to expand from their current 10-team setup and add BYU and one other team. Given the right agreement BYU, in return, would be crazy to not consider it either. BYU is a school based on traditional values much like most of the current members of the conference. It has proven it has a national TV following worthy of an attractive ESPN contract, and is able to actually do more good for the conference than just adding a warm body that allows for a conference championship or even just keeps the conference viable. To not concede the minor points that BYU supposedly is asking for is just not good business for the Big 12.

BYU is a natural fit in the Big 12 culturally. I walked the streets of Austin, Texas last fall when the Big 12 expansion idea was just starting to take off and the BYU talks were first starting. I didn’t meet a single Longhorn that didn’t seem genuinely enthused about the prospect of adding a team like BYU. Even in the mecca of college football, Texas, fans know about BYU both from an athletic point of view and from a cultural. Let’s face it, BYU never had and probably never has a shot of joining the Pac-12. Mormons and liberal granola eaters (plus Utah) don’t typically go together. But two of the current Big 12 schools (Baylor & TCU) are religious schools already, and nearly all the other schools are part of the bible belt with conservative politics and old school family values. You want conservative, old school family values? BYU has won the most “stone cold sober” award how many years in a row now? In all seriousness, BYU is well known for its strict Honor Code and adherence to principle-centered lives. Even with that tight code of ethics, BYU has been a traditional athletic powerhouse, winning 10 national championships in men’s and women’s sports and supporting more than 600 all-American athletes. BYU hosts athletic teams in all of the major events that the Big 12 hosts and could compete for conference titles right off the bat in many of them. Adding a strong, competitive team that instantly can blend in with the other schools in your conference both culturally and athletically?  It just makes sense.

The shuffle of NCAA teams, coaches, and conferences of late is driven by power, money, and fear. Power that comes with having your way and making decisions.  Money that comes with the extremely lucrative TV dollars that NCAA athletics are worth. And fear that not having a big, powerful conference or being part of a big, powerful conference will doom you forever. Many conferences have sought to add new teams to their conferences even though they may not be financially beneficial for what they are getting paid.  Come on, do you really think Utah and Washington State personally account for the $20+ million/year they get from the Pac-12? Of course they don’t! But the conference needs them in order to put decent competition on the field and keep the TV networks interested. BYU has created a national following that is able to attract it’s own national TV contract with ESPN. There’s nothing special about Provo or even the state of  Utah from a market size standpoint. The strength that BYU has is the national following due to its association with the Mormon church. Couple that with the fact that BYU has its own worldwide TV network with state-of-the-art broadcasting technology and facilities and you have a team that is capable of stepping in and adding to both the marketshare of the Big 12 and the revenue potential immediately.  As of 2012, the Big 12 conference has the lowest annual TV revenue of the five major conferences to be included in the new BCS system in 2014.

Conference 2012 TV Revenue
ACC $240 million
Big Ten $236 million
Big 12 $200 million
Pac-12 $225 million
SEC $205 million

The addition of BYU to the Big 12 adds to the financial viability of the conference. TV networks are smart people. The reason ESPN offered BYU a contract to televise all their games the past two seasons is because it is a smart investment to them and the addition of BYU to the Big 12 would certainly be a smart investment for the conference.

What discussions have taken place between the BYU heads and the Big 12 heads is anyones guess.  Rumors point to BYU placing too many demands (no Sunday play, rights to broadcast/rebroadcast all of their games, etc.) as the reason that the Big 12 has not offered to BYU yet. As I stated in the beginning, BYU doesn’t need the Big 12 at this point. 2013 is going to be as great a year of football in Provo as I can remember. But as the landscape continues to shift and hopefully settle, the Big 12 may find itself needing to expand and there’s no one better to look at for expansion than the Cougars.

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Ziggy Ansah Voted Most Outstanding Player at Senior Bowl

January 26, 2013

By: Danny Holmgren

Ziggy Ansah Tackles Receiver Denard Robinson in 2013 Senior Bowl

BYU’s Ziggy Ansah Tackles Michigan Receiver Denard Robinson (USAT Sports Images)

This afternoon many of the elite seniors of college football players gathered in Mobile, Alabama for the 2013 Senior Bowl, a contest won by the South 21-16 over the North. The storybook fairytale for BYU’s Ziggy Ansah continued as he led the South’s defense and garnered MVP accolades.

On the day Ansah had six solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss. He also forced a fumble. What the stats don’t show is how his huge frame, impressive strength, and shocking speed disrupted the play of the admittedly weak quarterback play all day. No matter who was tasked with trying to block him, Ansah pushed, swam, or just plowed his way into the backfield all afternoon.

Up and down results in practices and drills throughout the week had caused some scouts to have mixed reviews about where they place Ansah in the upcoming draft. While his size, strength, and speed are all impressive, he is still a young and unrefined player with raw skills. Ziggy proved today and throughout his senior season that there are other aspects of gameplay besides drills and technique that will make one an efficient player. Ansah has shown off many of those intangible gifts that he possesses and after his performance Saturday against many of the nation’s top players, you can bet that all eyes will be on him at the NFL Combine next month. For the humble player from Ghana who had never even put on football pads 2 1/2 years ago, the dream continues, and that dream is certain to have a seven-figure contract attached to it.

Follow me on Twitter: @dahomes

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