I find this a compelling discussion of who Bronco really is. Although I think rustyshakleford has complained a bit too much about Bronco in the past, I admire his willingness to explain the reasons for his feelings. I also find SUUWR's comments well thought out; and I agree, if Rusty could manage to get a few minutes of Bronco's time and explain his concerns, Bronco would probably express regret for what he did while a young coach.
The more interesting issue here is whether or not Bronco is still a yeller and egotistical coach---a "meathead," as Rusty calls him. Most of you have come to Bronco's defense, but the truth is, few have had any personal experience with him. Maybe I can offer a fresh perspective.
I have never been coached by Bronco, but I have personally watched him coach over the last couple of years, and I have had many conversations with some of the athletes in his stewardship. From these sources, I can tell you that Bronco is firmly in control of his emotions, both on the field and in team meetings. This is not to say that he isn't an intimidating coach. In some ways, he is the most intimidating coach many of these young men have ever known. He can in fact raise his voice from time to time, but he doesn't ridicule or shame players. I have never seen or heard of him forcing a player beyond his physical limits, though this can be a tricky call for any coach. Usually Coach Omer is the one conducting the conditioning, and he can in fact be extremely demanding. When you see a coach setting up ten garbage cans with plastic liners before sprints, you know he means business. In fact, I have been concerned about how hard and how far he pushes the athletes, but so far I have not seen or heard of anything that might be professionally negligent. Players always have the freedom to pull themselves out of sprints if necessary, as some do. In these cases, I have never known either Bronco or Omer to demean a player or try to shame him into working harder. Bronco has other methods.
Very early on in their relationship with Coach Mendenhall, each player learns that he is all business, that he means what he says, and that he expects each athlete to rise to a higher standard of physical excellence. Among other things, that means he expects them to work their guts out to get in better shape. If he finds players who are cheating the team by not working hard enough, as he sometimes does, he speaks to them directly and severely, putting the fear of God in some and the fear of Bronco in all. He leaves no doubt that he is not to be trifled with. He demands results, and if a player starts dogging on him, wimping out because he is afraid of physical exertion, Bronco has no problem with demoting him. A defensive lineman learned this lesson the hard way last year and has since vowed to do all in his power to earn Bronco's trust and respect again---and hopefully to begin seeing the field on Saturdays.
As for yelling, Coach Anae is actually the one who can be heard all the way to Helaman Halls. He can even be somewhat demeaning and harsh on some players, and, frankly, I think some of them resent it, but they don't fear losing his respect like they do Bronco's. The players I have talked to actually seem to love Bronco and want nothing more than to win his respect and trust. They know he loves and supports them. They know he is a straight shooter that he is invariably honest with them. He earns their respect, and they want to earn his.
I have probably said more here than I should have, but I felt it was important to let Rusty and others know that Bronco has probably changed from the over-demanding, vulgar, and insensitive coach you say he was at one time. Try to remember how young he was when you played under him. Remember too that he was one of the youngest head coaches in the nation when BYU promoted him two years ago---and that so far no athlete has charged him with being coarse, vulgar, or negligent of their health. He seems to have changed. He didn't serve a mission when he was younger, but now he encourages all of his LDS athletes to do so. No doubt he did other things in his youth he might regret today, but he seems determined to grow, to become better in everything he does, and I think we ought to give him credit for that growth. Talk about maturing in pressure cooker.
A lot of parents and loved ones are concerned about how far coaches are pushing their sons on the football field. From my perspective, which is obviously limited, Bronco is sensitive both to physical limitations and, as a BYU coach, to his role as an emissary of the Church. He seems respectful of the players and refrains from using most if not all vulgarities. As far as I can tell, it is an honor to have him as the head football coach of Brigham Young University. He has my full support.
