Mendenhall hiring praised

PROVO — On Tuesday, the day after his hiring was announced, new BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall dove head-first into staff changes, recruiting and recommendations for Cougar players and what they should do to prepare to play in his regime.

In the meantime, the Mendenhall hire received rave reviews from a former athletic department administrator at the University of New Mexico.

Bill McGillis, athletic director at the University of Evansville, learned of Mendenhall's hire on Monday and felt compelled to offer his views.

"Those who've played for and coached with Bronco know what BYU is getting in this hire," he said. "Many others will not.

"I spent three-plus years as the senior associate athletic director at New Mexico prior to leaving to accept the AD job at Evansville. I know from firsthand, direct experience what the guy is all about.

"There are certain individuals in the coaching profession who have special leadership qualities that set them apart from their peers. This guy is off the charts, far better than most in your community will even believe. He will prove to be the best new hire in the Mountain West this year."

On Tuesday, BYU coaches were in meetings and Mendenhall conducted staff evaluations with new offensive coordinator Robert Anae. Two staff members will not be retained. They are tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Mike Empey and receiver coach Todd Bradford.

BYU issued a news release late Tuesday saying, "As part of the process that would enable BYU's new head coach and offensive coordinator to select coaches who would best fit the team's new offensive philosophy, the athletics administration prior to Monday's press conference determined that Todd Bradford and Mike Empey would not be retained as members of the football coaching staff."

In the release, Mendenhall was quoted as saying: "I want to make it clear that this decision was not made based upon performance. Todd and Mike are close friends of mine and are both excellent coaches. Simply, the administration determined there was a need for the new staff to have the flexibility to find coaches who would best match our new offensive scheme.

"I have the utmost respect for those two gentlemen. We will do all we can to assist them in an appropriate and positive manner."

BYU will honor the contractual obligations of both coaches through the remainder of their contracts.

Anae will apparently be coaching receivers and tight ends, the area formerly manned by Empey and Bradford.