On a daily basis, Mendenhall looks to create as many experiences for his players as possible to remind them of the standard of excellence. "They are things that simply say, 'Do you want to be part of this culture or not?'" he says. "That culture of excellence should permeate everything these kids do. The way they do one thing should be the way they do all things. As a BYU player, that should mean he's part of a culture of excellence."

Mendenhall understands the inextricable link between BYU and the LDS Church. As the football program has fallen in recent years, some observers point to the stringent Honor Code and the fact so many athletes leave to serve missions as reasons. Mendenhall, of course, sees it differently. "Those won't ever be reasons for failure," he says. "Those should be pillars for success. Honor and character and the Honor Code is something of strength. It's not something to run away from."

The missionary program is a unique aspect of BYU athletics and Mendenhall is learning how to juggle the comings and goings of missionaries. When it comes to missions, Mendenhall has his own perspective. As a young man, he was so driven to play in the NFL that he chose not to go on one.

"Even though I knew (going on a mission) was right, I didn't walk away from my football career to serve," he says. "I really have, throughout my life, done everything I can through my coaching to represent myself and this church in a way that maybe wouldn't make up for it, but make sure that everyone knew what I really believed."

The missionary program should give the Cougars a big edge over the competition, if handled properly, Mendenhall says. "I remember as a coach at New Mexico or as a player at Oregon State coming to play BYU and thinking, 'How are we going to beat those guys? They've got all of those old guys on the line and they're big and mature. Man, we're just young guys.' I remember thinking that as a coach and as a player. I thought what a tremendous advantage. And yet lately, what I've heard more than anything else is, it's a disadvantage. The missionary program is one of the greatest tools this program has. Is it a challenge to manage? Sure it is, in terms of chemistry and continuity. However, they're better people when they return in all areas of their life."

Mendenhall respects players like wide receiver Austin Collie, last year's MWC freshman of the year, for being able to walk away from football for two years. "I have a tremendous admiration for their goals, values and priorities that they're able to do that," he says. "That's something that I, at their age, was not able to do."

Members of Mendenhall's staff say he's working with a sense of urgency, but in a very deliberate, organized fashion. He routinely hands out copies of inspirational books for them to read. Assistant coaches praise him for his willingness to listen to their ideas and to learn. They say that under his direction, they feel a stronger sense of ownership in the program.