Boylen, Utah boosters all jacked up about team's prospects

He has two young kids, so frankly, he wasn't about to take just any old job. Check.

He knows and loves the city. Check.

Early fortyish, looking for a new challenge. Check.

Pretty blond wife, couple of lovely kids. Check.

No plans to move on whatsoever. Check.

The list goes on. He's going to recruit "character guys" and student-athletes; he's going to emphasize toughness, discipline and effort.

Check and double-check.

Did new Ute basketball coach Jim Boylen miss any of the hot buttons?

Oh, yes, BYU. Nobody remembered to ask him about that. Let's just assume this statement will cover that: "We've won 28 championships here. I'm figuring — I'm going to be 42 (years old) — I can coach another 20 years, so if we don't leave with 48 (titles) then I didn't do my job."

As you might expect, that remark was met with widespread enthusiasm.

Boylen was introduced as Utah's 14th head coach, Tuesday afternoon at the Huntsman Center, surrounded by a sea of red.

Red walls.

Red carpet. A picture of former athletic director Bud Jack in a brilliant red blazer. And red neckties. Boylen, athletic director Chris Hill, president Michael K. Young and publicist Mike Lageschulte all showed up with the requisite red neckwear.

A red sort of day in a very red state.

"You have to dream it before you can live it, and we're going to dream it and we're going to live it," Boylen added.

If this sounds slightly familiar, it should. Wednesday's press conference/booster rally (both media and boosters were invited) sounded a lot like the one three years ago when Utah hired Ray Giacoletti. And even more like the press conference in late 2002 when Urban Meyer was hired as the football coach. In fact, it was even similar to the press conference when Jim Fassel was hired as the football coach 22 years ago. Lots of red, lots of blond hair, lots of optimism.

"I thought I was born for this job," said Boylen.

If Boylen didn't score high for originality — what else is a new coach supposed to say? — he got A's for delivery. The crowd of some 150 boosters burst into spontaneous applause several times.

"I can't say enough. I am jacked up!" he said.