Doman is just glad he's a dad

This Father's Day has a special score for Brandon Doman.

For that matter, this entire year has been a blur of change for him. He was a San Francisco 49ers quarterback, but then BYU hired him as quarterback coach. On top of that, he became a father for the third time — twice within months.

Brandon calls it "an amazing miracle for my family."

When Brandon and his wife, Alisha, married on June 29 six years ago, they hosted friends and family in the new press box at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Neither had any idea that their No. 1 priority, to become successful parents, would become the biggest trial in their young lives.

Take Brandon Doman, the star Skyline High quarterback who patiently waited his turn at BYU, who seemingly willed the Cougars to victories in LaVell Edwards' final game at Utah in 2000 and wins over the Utes, UNLV, New Mexico and Mississippi State in 2001. His faith has always been driven by his works.

But when it came to conceiving a child, Brandon and Alisha found it one blessing tough to come by. After three years, the couple decided to adopt through an agency. Soon, the Domans had a child, Sage — a blonde-haired, blue-eyed daughter with roots to the deep South. Sage came home one week before Doman was drafted by the 49ers in 2002.

"We don't know much about her background," Brandon said. "She was born in Alabama. We went through an agency and they are very careful how they handle it. As far as having a relationship with the birth parents, we do, but it's somewhat protected for them and us and Sage. We send them information and pictures and let them know how she's doing.

"We're pretty fortunate to have a 3-year-old daughter. She's been an absolute blessing.

"The thing about adoption is they do have unique backgrounds but they come in as an infant and mold their personalities to how you act and respond. It's been fun to see her be very similar to my wife, yet have her own attributes and personality and you kind of wonder how it's going to pan out because you don't really know."

The second time around, the Domans got more than they hoped for.

The summer of 2004, when Sage turned 2, Brandon and Alisha decided it was time to adopt another child. This time, they put the word out through friends and family instead of an agency and they came across someone Brandon calls "a sweet young" girl in an unfortunate situation in Utah. A second adoption was in process and a baby boy was on the way.