BYU's Reynolds gets role expanded

PROVO — Administrators at BYU made a move to enhance and expand the role of assistant head coach Lance Reynolds following an in-house hire of defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall on Monday.

The move, according to Advancement Vice President Fred Skousen, included a heavier load, more responsibility in BYU's football program, plus a raise.

Reynolds has been in discussions with Utah coach Kyle Whittingham for a position.

"We are not going to get in a bidding war," Skousen said. "Under Bronco's direction in what he needs, we want to combine the strengths of Bronco with the strengths of Reynolds and make Reynolds the No. 2 guy."

On Thursday night, Reynolds had a family council to discuss whether he should remain at BYU or move on. His desire, said Reynolds, is to keep his sons together.

Skousen clarified BYU's position with Reynolds during a meeting with reporters in his office at the administration building on Thursday.

Skousen officially opened a search for a new athletic director and explained what BYU wanted in a new leader for the department.

Applications will be taken until Jan. 15, and a decision will be made by March 2005.

Skousen said reports that BYU's administration had moved toward hiring Reynolds before it announced Mendenhall on Monday are incorrect. "There were interviews still to be conducted and a process to complete," he said.

During the hourlong interview, Skousen also answered questions from critics who wondered if trips to Maui and New York City by key members of the administration and transitional athletic team hindered hiring a new football coach.

Skousen said BYU was not going to have a season-ending review with head coach Gary Crowton the week following the Cougars' final home game right before Thanksgiving. "It was not determined at that time if we were going to make a coaching change," he said.

"We did meet with coach Crowton after Thanksgiving and after we returned from Hawaii, and that led to a coaching vacancy to fill."

BYU president Cecil Samuelson, Skousen and associate athletic directors Peter Pilling and Brian Santiago were in Maui to watch BYU play three games before Thanksgiving and after the Cougars' final football game. Senior associate athletic director Tom Holmoe, who oversees football, remained in Provo.