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Inside Cougar Report: Schmidt to retire |
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Dick Harmon | Monday, December 9, 2002, 1:08 pm
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After a morning full of meetings, it happened.
Ken Schmidt will retire. The announcement is coming as soon as the public relations machinery can get oiled and started up this afternoon. The athletic staff learned of the deal this morning, the coaching staff had meeting after that and were informed.
The move will start speculation immediately as to his replacement. Our guess? Bronco Mendenhall first, then Kyle Whittingham. The reason? Associations, loyalty and familiarity.
This move ends a bitter month of attacks on Schmidt on both the airwaves, Internet and in private e-mails to BYU's footbal office and administration. It is what the masses wanted and end the end it is a shot across the bow to BYU fans that Crowton is in charge of his program and will do what he needs to do to improve.
There are all kinds of coaching changes taking place right now and this and perhaps other moves down the line will free up people to make choices and make their moves. If Schmidt's replacement is Mendenahll, his school is involved in a bowl game and he would not be hired until after the bowl season.
At Utah State, three assistant coaches were fired including the offensive coordinator. That may open up space for Mike Borich, if he is so inclined. At SUU, Borich did not get the job but Gary Anderson did. He will hire BYU graduate assistant coach Aaron Roderick to be his passing coordinator.
Movement. That's the key word in this action today. As long as there is movement, anything can happen. I would speculate that Crowton will give his new coordinator the choice of hiring his own defensive coaches to work with. I also believe Crowton will hire somebody who he believes will be totally in step with his philosophies.
I do know that added to this pressure on Schmidt were reports from several recruits that if Schmidt returned , they would not be interested in signing on. Still don't know if that's going to make a difference, but we will see. |
