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Las Vegas • Two weeks after surprising the college football world with an announcement that he was leaving BYU after 11 seasons for the head coaching job at Virginia, Bronco Mendenhall said Friday that he doesn't regret the timing of the stunning news.
On the eve of Saturday's matchup with rival Utah in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl, Mendenhall also said he doesn't regret the decision to stick around and coach the Cougars in the nationally televised matchup at Sam Boyd Stadium.
"I don't know if there is ever a good time, or ever an ideal time [to change jobs]," Mendenhall said at the pre-bowl news conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center. "I operated within the time frame that was asked and then I tried my best to honor my current commitments and help our team, and the players who I really care about, have success. I am not sure there is an easy or perfect way of doing that."
Mendenhall (99-42 since taking over for Gary Crowton in 2005) can get his 100th win as BYU's coach, but he didn't mention that Friday as a reason for staying through the bowl game. And he said that it still hasn't "hit him" yet that his tenure at BYU is coming to an end.
"No, it hasn't because there is a lot still to accomplish, and I would like our team to finish well and have success and play even better football than we have," Mendenhall said. "I think any coach wants that. You want your team to continue to grow and play hard and well and continue all the way to the last [tick] of the clock. After that, maybe that is when it is going to happen. But too much going on right now."
Players have said that Mendenhall has allowed himself to have more fun the past two weeks, been a little looser than normal.
"I haven't [noticed]," he said. "I haven't tried to be. Maybe it has just happened. … It hasn't been intentional."
Mendenhall is 3-6 against Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who turned down the BYU opening in 2005 after originally accepting it from athletic director Tom Holmoe. He said he is well aware that Utah has won the last four matchups — three close games and a blowout.
"I think that Utah has earned those victories," Mendenhall said. "They don't happen randomly, and most of the games are close and hardfought. It is hard to predict how it will come out. But I like success against any team that we play, in any setting, in any context. And this one is no different."
Whittingham addresses Ute player's "dirty" comments
Whittingham said he "talked to" Viliseni Fauonuku after the Utah defensive tackle grabbed the microphone from the emcee at the welcome reception on Wednesday night and told BYU it was a "dirty team" and not to start anything in the game on Saturday.
"Seni's heart is in the right place. It was not a good choice. We all know that. I don't think anyone will dispute that," Whittingham said. "…It was unnecessary. It is over. We move forward. People make mistakes."
Utah football's official Twitter account posted a short video of several Utes celebrating Fauonuku's short speech.
Whittingham called Fauonuku "a great kid" and "a model kid in our program" and alluded to him growing up under "tough situations and circumstances."
Faunoku admitted to felony robbery in juvenile court from an incident that took place when he was a 17-year-old student at Bingham High, an incident that was first reported by The Salt Lake Tribune and later prominently featured in a Sports Illustrated article about athletes' missteps with the law.
Asked about what was said Wednesday, Mendenhall downplayed any emotional reaction.
"I think none of what really happens prior to the game, or after, is what matters," he said. "Ultimately, it is the preparation that you do collectively as a team and how you execute during the game. The rest of it really has no bearing. I think both teams would agree with that, and so anything we can do to aid our preparation, and channel whatever extra energy there is, if that is not directed toward our plans, it won't be helpful."
Briefly
BYU junior offensive lineman and Utah senior receiver Kenneth Scott received the Roy Woofter Community Service Award at the luncheon on Friday after the news conference. …. ESPN's Mark Schlereth, a former guard in the NFL for Washington and Denver, was the guest speaker. … Utah's team took in the new Star Wars movie on Friday night, while BYU's team activity was a fireside at the Redrock Stake Center in Las Vegas. BYU defensive end Bronson Kaufusi said he watched Star Wars on Thursday night.
Twitter: @drewjay Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
BYU vs. Utah, 1:30 p.m. MST
TV: ABC