Bronco Mendenhall on first four years as BYU coach

Mendenhall spoke to a gathering of BYU alumni Friday night at the school's

Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center.In his address, which aired on

BYUTV, Mendenhall shared experiences from his first four years as the head

coach, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to coach at BYU. \"I

couldn't be more grateful for the chance to be BYU's football coach, in a

program and institution that represents far more than football,\" Mendenhall

said. \"It simply wouldn't be worth it to do this job if it wasn't about more

than football.\"Mendenhall spoke of the unique mission of the BYU

football program.\"I share this quote from President Hinckley to every

recruit who comes into my office.'Here we're doing what is not done in any

other major university in which I am aware. We're demonstrating that faith in

the Almighty can accompany and enrich scholarship in the secular. Its more than

an experience, it's an accomplishment. And the products of this effort show in

your lives' qualities, not otherwise attainable.'\"Mendenhall spoke of the

responsibility of the football team as the most visible part of the

university.\"Are we the most important? No. Are we the most visible? I

think so,\" Mendenhall said. \"That simple understanding had a lot to do with our

mission statement as a football program, 'to be the flag bearers of Brigham

Young University through football excellence, embracing truth, tradition, virtue

and honor as a beacon to the world.' Are those high ideals? Does that make us a

target? Absolutely.  Is that reason to back away from them? Absolutely

not.\"Mendenhall concluded his remarks by sharing the approach he takes

towards his job.\"Am I called to this position? No. Is it my job? Yes.

I don't know how else to do it, other than treating it as a