Words of Wisdom

In 1972, BYU was 172-232-23 (.431), with only one conference title and no bowl appearances in 47 seasons. That same year, the Cougars hired Utah native, LaVell Edwards as head coach and in the next 29 seasons saw one of the greatest turn-arounds in college football history.

From 1972 to 2000, LaVell Edwards guided the Cougars to 20 conference titles, 22 bowl appearances, 13 top-25 finishes (including four top-ten seasons), a Heisman Trophy winner (Ty Detmer, 1990), over 20 Academic All-Americans and countless other national and conference achievements. The National Coach of the Year in 1984, Coach Edwards retired following the 2000 season with 257 wins.

"Patience is being able to read the defensive man and be a protector, not an aggressor."

"The longer I am in coaching, the more I am convinced that there is no one best way to coach or to teach a basic technique."

"Coaching styles can vary from being very autocratic to being very low-key and group-oriented. However in all cases there can only be one boss, the head coach."

"People say I'm not a happy man. I am. It's just that sometimes I forget to tell my face."

"The ability to recruit outstanding athletes is the single most important phase of a college football program."

"Coaches must remember that their first responsibility is for the academic success - not athletic success - of the student/athletes they have recruited."

"It is my belief that teams are controlled better by attitudes than by rules."

"Coaches need to maintain a proper perspective on the role and value of athletics in the lives of young men. It should never come to the point that winning at any cost replaces the building of good character traits."

"When Patti's lucky outfit wears out." - reply when asked when he'd retire from coaching. Patti is his wife.

Quotes from press clips and Football Coach Quotes: The Wit, Wisdom and Winning Words of Leaders on the Gridiron, by Larry Adler

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Words of Wisdom