This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • A year ago, BYU's preseason football camp opened on a steamy August afternoon with all eyes on the most-scrutinized starting quarterback battle in school history.
The entire coaching staff had been together for three seasons, including a pair of experienced and highly regarded coordinators. The notion of football independence, it turns out, was being heavily explored in back rooms all over campus but had yet to burst into the general public's consciousness.
Fast-forward to Saturday afternoon, where 2011 preseason practices will open with sophomore Jake Heaps firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback. Heaps' one-time mentor, former offensive coordinator Robert Anae, is now working at Arizona. Former defensive coordinator Jaime Hill is also a distant memory — having been replaced midseason by head coach Bronco Mendenhall himself — and players are talking about playing an SEC opponent, Ole Miss, in the opener in four weeks.
"Kinda crazy, when you think about all that has gone on around here [the past year]," said senior running back Bryan Kariya. "Who says BYU never changes?"
Yet here the Cougars are, embarking on one of the most-anticipated seasons in recent memory with a young but fairly experienced squad led by Heaps on offense and a USC transfer yet to play a down in BYU blue on defense, middle linebacker Uona Kaveinga.
"There's a different attitude around here," Heaps said. "We can't just coast into this. As an independent, every game matters. When you are in a conference, you can still lose a game or two and still contend for a conference championship. With this, every game matters. Every game is going to feel like we are playing our last game."
Former quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman takes over as offensive coordinator, promising a return to the BYU offense of old — wide open and pass-heavy to utilize the strong-armed Heaps' talents.
Former Navy assistant Joe DuPaix, a man of boundless energy, was brought in to direct the running backs and coordinate recruiting, while record-setting CFL receiver Ben Cahoon was brought in to revitalize a receiving corps that slumped miserably in 2010.
Veteran coach Lance Reynolds is the new tight end coach, after that long-valued and glorious position at BYU was virtually nonexistent last season. Former linebacking standout Kelly Poppinga was promoted from his graduate assistant role, while Nick Howell will work with the secondary and direct special teams.
"With new coaches and a new offensive system in place, it feels like a fresh start," said Mendenhall, who enters his seventh season with a 56-21 career record, the highest winning percentage in school history (.731). "It feels like beginning again, but from a place further along than six years ago [when he became head coach]."
Veteran players such as Kariya and senior receiver McKay Jacobson say they are a more confident bunch this year, partly because the quarterback situation is settled, partly because they finished last year winning five of their last six games and nearly knocking off heavily favored Utah on its home field, and partly because the new coaches have injected enthusiasm and fun into the day-to-day grind.
"One of the things that I think is kind of cool about this season and kind of going into this independence era is I have seen a swagger and a kind of confidence that we definitely didn't have last summer. I feel like we gained that halfway through the season. But we had to go through a lot of work and have a lot of experiences to get there," Kariya said. "I think as long as we build off the momentum that we had last year and go into the season knowing that we are prepared to face anybody, that is going to be a great boost to what we can accomplish."
Aside from the obvious storylines of coaching change, the impact of independence and Heaps' progression now that he will get the bulk of reps in camp, perhaps the biggest focus the rest of the month for a team with 10 returning starters on offense and nine on defense is in the secondary. The Cougars will try to replace all-conference safety Andrew Rich and their two starting cornerbacks, Brian Logan and Brandon Bradley.
"We have more depth than in the previous six years that I've been the coach," Mendenhall said.
The coach mentioned returned missionary Daniel Sorensen at media day as Rich's possible replacement, and also said he is looking forward to seeing what receiver Ross Apo, injured all of last season, can do. Other newcomers expected to make an impact include Snow College transfer Preston Hadley at cornerback and left tackle Ryker Mathews, who was preparing for his senior season at American Fork High at this time last year.
Then again, a lot has changed for BYU football, too.
BYU preseason practice overview
In short • The Cougars officially begin their first season of football independence as practice opens Saturday. Four practices/scrimmages are open to the general public.
What to look for • New offensive coordinator Brandon Doman will keep many of the elements BYU's offense had under Robert Anae, but will be more wide open.
Depth chart decisions • The biggest question marks are in the secondary, where safety Andrew Rich and corners Brian Logan and Brandon Bradley will have to be replaced.
Most anticipated newcomer • Receiver Ross Apo sat out all of last season with a hand injury, but should have a big impact this season, along with returned missionary Daniel Sorensen.
Keep an eye on • Quarterback Jake Heaps, who was in a battle last year to win the starting job. This time around, it's all his. —
BYU key dates
Saturday • First practice, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday • Team photo session, 2:30 p.m.
Friday • Practices, open to the public, 10:15 a.m. and 4:50 p.m.
Aug. 13 • Scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium, open to the public, 10 a.m.
Aug. 16 • Practice open to the public, 10:15 a.m.
Aug. 20 • Scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium, 10:15 a.m.
Aug. 24 • Scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium, 10:15 a.m.
Aug. 26 • Preparations begin for Ole Miss