“One day I was complaining to Bill Coltrin about what I thought was an unfair article about our team. I was going to call the writer and complain to him. Bill told me, "If you plan to stay in this business (coaching), you need to realize a couple of things about the press. One, whatever is written, it will probably be forgotten in two or three days by the public; and two, if you complain or make an enemy of the writer, just remember you may have your 'day in the sun,' but he/she is going to press 365 days a year." I have never forgotten that.” IfsNeedsYearsMayTwoRememberThreeRealizingEnemySunPlansWrittenTeamCoupleOne DayBillsPressesForgottenComplainingCoachingArticlesUnfairRemember YouRemembers You Author:LaVell Edwards
“I received my Master's degree from the University of Utah while coaching at Granite High School. I obtained my doctorate from BYU while coaching. I pursued these degrees to prepare myself if coaching didn't work out.” IfsSchoolMastersDegreesHigh SchoolUniversityWork OutCoachingPursuedUtahGraniteDoctoratesByu Author:LaVell Edwards
“I had to come up with some criteria to help me; i.e., what the favor was, if it was legitimate, if it was in no way compromising, and if there would be a benefit some way by my participation.” IfsWayHelpingWould BeBenefitsCome UpFavorsCompromiseHelp MeParticipationCriteria Author:LaVell Edwards
“If we have to go through a mental exercise, yes or no, every time we are faced with a tough decision, we will continue to have trouble with living what we supposedly believe.” IfsBelieveDecisionTroubleExerciseToughTough DecisionsYes Or No Author:LaVell Edwards
“I was asked this morning if it was frustrating to be 13-1 last year and not have more recognition and I said, "Hey man, I'd take that every year. I'd take that kind of frustration and not worry about it one bit. It wasn't frustration, it was one of those great runs and I enjoyed it."” IfsMenYearsKindSaidRunningLastsBitsMorningWorryHeyRecognitionEnjoyedFrustrationLast YearFrustrating Author:LaVell Edwards
“When I started I knew it was a matter of when, not if, I would get fired. That's because that was just the past history of the previous coaches that had been there.” IfsMatterPastCoaches 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
“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
“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
