Tom Holmoe and Bronco Mendenhall Press Conference Quotes & Video

BYU Press Conference 
Video link: Directer of Athletics Tom Holmoe & Football Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall
VIdeo link: Football players Mitch Mathews, Bronson Kaufusi & Tanner Mangum

Bronco Mendenhall's opening statement: 

This isn’t something that can be scripted, nor is life something that can be scripted. Who I am now is molded and directed through BYU. I am a product of Brigham Young University and am fortunate and lucky to have been challenged and given the opportunities I have been given in a way that is not explainable. I was given the opportunity to be head coach when I had never been one before. I’ve done my best to align the football program with the values of the Church, with the academic standards with this institution and with the athletic standards. I’ve tried to make that happen for the students who chose to come here. That’s the secret to BYU. There is only one Brigham Young University that plays football and this is it. Holly has had the tougher job. There’s BYU’s coach, then there’s the BYU head coach’s wife, and that is the harder of the two jobs. We both believed that at some point we would know when it is not our time to be here. We’ve taken a hard look at that every year. The answer right now is that it is time for someone else. I asked our team today to embrace change. I asked my own boys to be who they are, and that will be enough. I love this team and the players in particular who chose to come here with myself as head coach. It’s a unique coach, and our success has been directly tied to our players’ commitment and leadership. I’m thankful for that.

Tom Holmoe’s opening statement:

I wanted to come and express my gratitude to Bronco for the job he has done at BYU. It’s hard to define this job. He’s been a great partner to me. In 11 years, we have dealt with so many incredibly rich experiences. I have a flood of memories. I get to be the voice of Cougar Nation and say thank you! It’s funny how some people report that Bronco was the default coach. That’s far from the truth. He may not have been our first choice, but when he was hired, we had some unique experiences that started it off. He’s influenced our student athletes’ lives in such a positive way. So much of a coach’s production is not on the field, and that’s the part that the public never get to see. So much of what he’s done here can’t be said. You can’t report it. Those are probably the most valuable talent that Bronco possesses. At this time, I’m really supportive of him and this new adventure that he has. People have asked me for years what kind of football coach he is and if he could coach somewhere else. Yes he could. He’s a very, very good football coach. His perspective on coaching is really rare. Whenever I go somewhere, people ask about him a lot. Bronco is going to change the football team at UVa in a big way. I send all of my love to Bronco and Holly and the boys for 13 of the most incredible years. It just so happens that we have another game left, and it’s a big game. We don’t know which team we are going to play yet, but it’s going to b e big. In unison when he left the team meeting, the team rose and cheered and expressed their gratitude. It was a cool thing.

Bronson Kaufusi

Growing up with my dad being a coach, I know how it is. I know this time of year comes around. Shifts start to be made. But overall, for me, as a player we tend to deal selfishly and think about ourselves. In thinking about Coach Mendenhall, he’s definitely going to be missed. I know wherever he goes, he’ll be great. For him, I know it’s a great opportunity.

Tanner Mangum

I think just like everybody on the team, we all felt a feeling of sadness because Coach Mendenhall means so much to us and not just because of what he does on the field, but for how he helps us off the field. I was thinking about it and he’s been the coach since I was 10 years old, basically since I started watching BYU football. To think about him gone is kind of a sad feeling because he’s meant so much for this program and to this team and to me personally. I’m going to miss him a lot. I’m super grateful for the opportunity he’s given me to play this year and for all the lessons he has taught me.

Mitch Mathews

One of the first things that I thought after hearing the news from Coach Mendenhall immediately was ‘I can’t wait to play in the bowl game because of how hard we’re going to fight for this guy.’ That is something that will happen. There’ll be a new level of fight in us for Coach Mendenhall. I can honestly say that. There will be that no matter who we play. We want this guy to get that win and we want to send him out that way.