“The ability we have to handle this adversity will determine the degree of success that we will have in life. To me, this is where the gospel can be the greatest of help to us. The power of the Holy Ghost is the greatest source of strength and comfort we can have in our lives. The Holy Ghost will not only help us in times of need, but will help us to gain a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, thereby preparing us for life.” LifeNeedsHelpingSuccessJesusChristAbilityOur LivesSourceHolyComfortDegreesGainsJesus ChristAdversityDetermineGhostHandleFirmPreparingTestimonyHoly GhostTime Of NeedSource Of StrengthStrength And Comfort Author:LaVell Edwards
“In my career I have had many wonderful things happen to me, many more than I ever dreamed would ever happen. But I would like for you young brethren especially to know that all that has happened to me in my chosen profession is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the truly important things in my life. The testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I have, along with my wife and my family, are my most important possessions.” KnowsLifeImportantDreamHappensYoungJesusChristCareersWifeWonderfulHappenedJesus ChristMy FamilyImportant ThingsMerePossessionMy WifeProfessionThings HappenChosenTestimonyWonderful ThingsBrethrenBuckets Author:LaVell Edwards
“How do we handle adversity? Adversity is going to be with us in everything that we do, almost in every facet of our lives-in our personal associations, in the mission field, in our chosen professions, in our families.” LifeOur LivesFieldsAdversityMissionsProfessionHandleChosenOur FamilyAssociationFamily LifeFacets Author:LaVell Edwards
“I suspect that these traits-desire, commitment, and good work habits-are important in all facets of our lives. . .” LifeImportantDesireOur LivesHabitCommitmentSuspectsTraitsGood WorkFacetsWork Habits Author:LaVell Edwards
“How is your health? I feel pretty good, and I'm very anxious to get the season going. I think we have a chance to have a good football team. I don't have any health problems. I don't know how any of the stuff gets started. . . . My health is very good.” ThinkingKnowsFeelsProblemStuffChanceKnow HowTeamFootballHealthySeasonsVery GoodAnxiousGood HealthFootball TeamHealth ProblemsGood Football Author:LaVell Edwards
“What motivates me is not one more championship, it is the challenge each year. I have just thoroughly enjoyed starting in spring with a new team and trying to put all the elements together to make a team.” TryingYearsTogetherChallengesJusticeTeamElementsSpringStartingEnjoyedChampionship Author:LaVell Edwards
“What keeps you motivated? The challenge of putting all the elements of a team together and seeing how you do and what you become is the thing that I still enjoy. I also enjoy the associations and relationships with the players and other coaches - to be in the arena, so to speak. I still enjoy that. I'm also at the point, though, that if we're not doing well - it's tough enough as it is - that I'm not going to be hanging on just to be hanging on. Because it's not anything I need from an ego standpoint or anything else. I just thoroughly enjoy what I'm doing.” IfsNeedsWellsStillsEnoughTogetherSpeakEnjoyChallengesJusticePlayerSeeingTeamEgoElementsToughCoachesMotivatedAssociationArenaStandpointHanging OnKeep You Motivated Author:LaVell Edwards
“I just feel that you reach a point when its time to move on.” FeelsMovingTimeJusticeTime To Move On Author:LaVell Edwards
“At some point in time it will be right for me to step aside. That may be after this year, but that may be after two or three more years.” YearsMayTwoTimeThreeSteps Author:LaVell Edwards
“BYU takes on defending national champion Florida State in the Pigskin Classic in Jacksonville, Fla., eight days after announcing that the 2000 season would be his last before retirement: I do know this, that I'm finally a little bit more relieved than I've been for some time. Patti (his wife) and I have talked about it a lot and came to that conclusion (to retire). I had a feeling of serenity, if you will. In fact, I was feeling so serene that I put in a film of Florida State, and that got me out of that mood in a hurry.” IfsKnowsLittlesStatesFactsFeelingsWould BeLastsFilmTimeBitsWifeLittle BitSeasonsEightMoodConclusionChampionClassicRetirementRetiringSerenityFloridaSereneRelievedAnnouncingByuFlorida State Author:LaVell Edwards
“Considering retirement? When that happens, I don't want that to be the story of whatever the season it is. I don't want to have to be talking about it all the time. My plan is when the time is up, it'll be time to hang it up. When that comes, it'll come. But right now, I don't have any clue as to when that'll be. It's been that way the last couple of years. . . . I've often felt if I ever get to a point where I don't want to go recruiting and can't get excited about it, then maybe it's time. That's a pretty good indication that's probably it. And I haven't reached that point at all yet.” IfsWayWantYearsStoriesHappensLastsTimeFeltTalkingPlansHavensCoupleRight NowSeasonsExcitedRetirementConsideringClueIndication Author:LaVell Edwards
“Edwards said the greatest moment of his career was winning the national championship. The lowest moment (of my career) happens every time we lose to Utah.” SaidMomentsHappensTimeWinningLosesCareersChampionshipLowestUtahNational Championships Author:LaVell Edwards
“I honestly haven't thought about it much. When it comes time for me to retire, I don't think I'll know going into that season. I'll have to evaluate it at the end of each year.” ThinkingKnowsYearsEndsTimeHavensSeasonsHonestlyRetiringEvaluate Author:LaVell Edwards
“Current condition of the BYU football program? I think it's in good shape. We've got some good young players. We've had two or three pretty good recruiting years. We lost some players, obviously, that hurt us, but you always have turnover in college through attrition (graduation, transfers). That's the nature of the game.” ThinkingYearsTwoYoungThreeGamesLostHurtPlayerConditionsFootballCollegeShapesLosingProgramCurrentsGraduationTransfersTurnoverAttritionByu Author:LaVell Edwards
“Reminiscing, with obvious emotion, on his long career It has turned out a whole lot better than I ever, ever, ever dreamed.” LongWholeDreamEmotionCareersObviousReminiscingLong Careers Author:LaVell Edwards
“Reminiscing No one knows ... until you live it, to be there, to tee it up each week, to get yourself ready, the players and whatever else.... I think its a very, very difficult, tough and demanding job. And to be able to, particularly, stay at the level of expertise that we have over the years. Along with the fact that we have made football a presence at BYU. I think those are the things that are about as satisfying as anything that has happened. Then, of course, the players.... I think the thing that will be the most difficult is leaving the relationships and the involvement.” ThinkingKnowsYearsMadeFactsAbleJobsCoursesDifficultLevelsPlayerHappenedWeekFootballReadyToughLeavingSatisfyingInvolvementExpertiseTeesReminiscingByu Author:LaVell Edwards
“BYU takes on defending national champion Florida State in the Pigskin Classic in Jacksonville, Fla., eight days after announcing that the 2000 season would be his last before retirement: We looked at it. We knew it would make things tougher. But how many chances does anyone get to play Florida State? It was too good to pass up.” DoeStatesPlayWould BeLastsChanceSeasonsEightChampionClassicRetirementFloridaAnnouncingByuFlorida State Author:LaVell Edwards
“Coming out of BYU's football spring, 1999, practice: We might have a chance to be pretty good.” MightChancePracticeFootballSpringComing OutByu Author:LaVell Edwards
“It has been our experience that if a young man decides to go on a mission, he can not only play well when he returns, he will often play better. If an athlete could play well before he went on a mission, he will definitely play well when he returns; and, if an athlete could not play well before his mission, he probably won't play well when he returns. However, his chances of playing well are perhaps better if he goes because he will return with . . . better work habits, and a better knowledge of what it takes to be successful.” IfsMenWellsHas BeensPlayYoungChanceKnowledgeSuccessfulGoes OnReturnHabitAthleteMissionsYoung ManBeing SuccessfulCan NotWork Habits Author:LaVell Edwards
“We have reached the point where we can lose a game or two and not drop out of sight in the rankings. I've been asked if it bothers me that BYU hasn't received the recognition it deserves. Well, BYU's gotten a lot of recognition over the years; I've never felt slighted. I honestly believed that we didn't deserve to be ranked any higher last year.” IfsYearsWellsTwoLastsGamesFeltLosesHigherDeserveSightHonestlyRecognitionBotherLast YearRankingSlightedByu Author:LaVell Edwards
“I told Pattie that last night I dreamt that we had a press conference and nobody showed up. I am overwhelmed that so many of you are here.” DreamLastsNightPressesOverwhelmedConferencesLast NightPress Conferences Author:LaVell Edwards
“Looking at the championship-winning quarterbacks, Edwards remembered their particular talents: Steve Young: Here's a guy that is really a talent. He's the best athlete we ever had. He could run, he developed into a good thrower. He's smart. He's intense. He could make it in the movies. Really, he's got it all. He was coachable, but he had his own ideas. He never let up, not even in practice. I'd take Steve Young every year.” YearsIdeasRunningYoungGuyWinningPracticeTalentParticularSmartAthleteIntenseRememberedChampionshipQuarterbackBest AthleteThrowersSteve Young Author:LaVell Edwards
“Edwards commented as he signed an extension to his contract. We have good young players in the program and strong schedules in the coming years. The future looks bright for BYU football. I also want to get a number of projects off the ground before I retire.” WantYearsLooksYoungStrongNumbersPlayerFootballProjectsProgramContractsRetiringSchedulesExtensionsByu Author:LaVell Edwards
“I can honestly say that two weeks after the national championship year, I'd forgotten about it and started laying the groundwork for spring practice. And so every year, that's been the thing that's motivated me. . . .” YearsI CanTwoPracticeWeekSpringForgottenHonestlyMotivatedChampionshipTwo WeeksGroundworkNational Championships Author:LaVell Edwards
“Late in the third quarter the Cougars were behind 12-0. Duva had completed 5 out of 20 passes. Edwards looked at Gifford Nielsen. Giff had never done a thing, in practice or anywhere else, to give us confidence in him. . . . . . . the coach said later. He sent him into the game anyway. First play was a 19-yard completion. Second was a 6-yard run. He threw again on the third play to running back Dave Lowry who ran 37 yards for a touchdown.” GivingFirstsSaidDonePlayRunningGamesBehindsPracticeLateThirdsCoachesRanQuartersYardsCompletionDaveRunning BackTouchdownsCougars Author:LaVell Edwards
“Looking at the championship-winning quarterbacks, Edwards remembered their particular talents: Gary Sheide: The image of Joe Namath. He even had Joe's number. Had just a great feel and touch for the game. A great athlete who could play all the sports. He was more of a streak guy than any of them. He could miss two or three passes and then get hot and hit ten straight. He was the one who got it all started.” FeelsTwoPlayGuyThreeGamesWinningSportsJusticeNumbersTalentMissingParticularTenHotAthleteRememberedChampionshipQuarterbackStreaksGaryGreat Athlete Author:LaVell Edwards
“After announcing that the 2000 season would be his last before retirement: Last winter I made the decision to coach for only one more season. I have been wrestling with the timing of announcing that decision. After seeing the outstanding attitude and work ethic of this team, I came to the conclusion that it's best to get the announcement out of the way now so we can focus on the season and avoid the repeated distractions that come from questions about my retirement.” WayHas BeensMadeWould BeLastsWorkDecisionAttitudeFocusSeeingTeamEthicsSeasonsWinterCoachesConclusionRetirementWrestlingDistractionTimingWork EthicOutstandingAnnouncementsAnnouncing Author:LaVell Edwards
“I could sum it up in one thing: A guy has to be what he is. He's got to coach and have a philosophy based on his own personality. You see too many coaches trying to imitate other coaches, trying to be someone else. It's all right to emulate the qualities of good coaches but I don't think you should imitate. You've got to be yourself.” ThinkingShouldTryingPhilosophyGuySportsQualityOne ThingPersonalityCoachesBeing YourselfEmulateGood Coaches Author:LaVell Edwards
