Deseret News | Reader comments: Cougs will get one big TV gig

Reader comments
Sports on TV: Cougs will get one big TV gig

47 comments | Read story

rustycheese | 7:35 a.m. June 13, 2008

does this mean that I'm the first?

Anonymous | 8:53 a.m. June 13, 2008

thanks for the info!

Just Wondering | 9:24 a.m. June 13, 2008

Any word about dish?

Comments continue below

no dish | 10:09 a.m. June 13, 2008

if your still waiting around for dish...switch already. A few months ago the confrence was trying to get them to the table. This after they walked out at the start two years ago. There is no movement and it will not be comming. You should reward direct for staying with it and giving us coverage by giving them your patronage.

Non-believer | 10:34 a.m. June 13, 2008

Who cares. After the fiasco with recruiting and Mendenhall I could care less how the Cougars do or don't do.

Berkley Hatch | 10:35 a.m. June 13, 2008

I am actually going to make the switch today. I have really enjoyed being with Dish, but this time I have to prioritize. Not only are they going to carry my teams channel, but I will be saving 20-30 dollars for the first year.

Believer! | 10:39 a.m. June 13, 2008

Non-believer:

What fiasco with recruiting? As far as I can tell there's never been any sort of fiasco at all. Bitter is as bitter does. My guess is that you couldn't care less how the do no matter what the situation is. As for me, I'm completely impressed with Mendenhall and props to anyone who sees the light and wants to join the ranks.

Ekim | 10:47 a.m. June 13, 2008

Believer.

I'm with you big-time!!

RE: Non-believer | 10:51 a.m. June 13, 2008

Give me a break and get a life! Mendenhall did nothing wrong and you are obviously a Ute fan bitter over BYU's succes the last two years.

James | 10:59 a.m. June 13, 2008

Or his a BYU fan who flopped over during the Urban Meyer era and now is back, like the rest of you.

Alternate | 10:59 a.m. June 13, 2008

Dear Non-Believer,

Sorry to hear you have given up college sports. Every school recruits and kids change schools over and over again. The haters say this about one school and the other haters say that about another school. The one great thing about the Utah BYU football rivalry is that two great men are the coaches. There are no better people out there than Kyle and Bronco. Too bad you won't get to see them coach anymore. Maybe you could check out field hockey. In Utah at least, there is no recruiting for field hockey. This may be your answer. Have a great fall season. By the way, if happen to live in the Skyline or Cottonwood areas, you won't be able to watch them either, you see they recruit also.

Re: Re: Non-believer | 11:04 a.m. June 13, 2008

If Mendenhall did nothing wrong then maybe he should amend his statement in regards to 'wishing other schools could see the big picture' when it comes to recruiting missionaries.

It is hypocritical for Bronco to show disdain for other programs when he has been doing the same thing they are doing.

Go ahead byu fans, keep your heads in the sand and pretend you, your coach, and your school are better than everyone else when you really aren't.

RE: James | 11:56 a.m. June 13, 2008

There is no way in this life or the next will any true BYU fan like the Utes. If anyone is rooting for the Yewts because of a coach or for any reason then may mercy be on their soul. GO COUGS!!

Lincoln | 12:18 p.m. June 13, 2008

The bottom line is that there is NO DEAL with DTV until the MTN lowers the price for affiliation. They are more expensive than ESPN even! DTV obviously sees less value in picking up the MTN for the 12 weeks that it has programming worthy of broadcasting. The MTN is a seriously bad deal all the way around.

detmer | 12:37 p.m. June 13, 2008

non believers, you guys sure post a lot for not caring. Why are you reading the story or posting if you don't care?

Huh??? | 1:13 p.m. June 13, 2008

Iï¿½m sure this is a semantic differenceï¿½ but I thought that in order for someone to be ï¿½hypocriticalï¿½ it was necessary to for them to DO something, while they advocate its oppositeï¿½
To say that something is a ï¿½shameï¿½ expresses an opinion and does not make one hypocritical.

I thinks itï¿½s a shame that many people drink non-diet sodasï¿½ Oops!!! According non-believers definition ï¿½ I AM A HYPOCRITE!

I personally believe that Mendenhallï¿½s comments were miss-interpreted (if not taken out of context). It IS a shame that missionaries need to be bothered with recruiting while in the field.
Bronco would be naï¿½ve and negligent to not pursue the best talent (period). (BTW -He is NOT naï¿½veï¿½ and he is not negligent.)

To Non-believer | 1:31 p.m. June 13, 2008

Non-believer is a ute. Ignore him.

Re: Huh??? | 1:39 p.m. June 13, 2008

Almost right. To be a hyporcrite, all that is needed is to say one thing in public then do that very same act in private that you previously spoke out against. Example: If I said 'I wish people wouldn't cheat on their spouse' and later I am found to be cheating on my spouse, that would make me a hypocrite.

Bronco said he 'wished people could see the big picture' when it comes to missionaries, meaning they are doing important work and shouldn't be distracted by football coaches. But he is recruiting missionaries.

Having it be at the parent's request does not make it less of a distraction.

Final point about Bronco: It is fine if he wants to recruit missionaries, but if he is going to do it then he shouldn't look down on other coaches that do the same thing he is doing.

Anonymous | 2:06 p.m. June 13, 2008

Why is the game at Washington going to be the only BYU game broadcast on a major sports television network? Donï¿½t the executives at FSN also know about our season opener against Northern Iowa? They went 12-1 last year, and were NATIONALLY RANKED!

Realistic Cougar | 2:29 p.m. June 13, 2008

Any coach in any system gets a pass on anything that might be viewed as unethical if the team is winning.

Bronco is winning games and that gives him a pass.

I'm with Bronco as long as he wins. If he loses consistenly he needs to be fired. That is the bottom line for a football coach. No matter the school.

mike | 3:46 p.m. June 13, 2008

By the way we get two big time TV games. don't forget the Las Vegas Bowl.

Just Love the Mtn. Network | 4:54 p.m. June 13, 2008

What a great TV deal. Don't you just love watching the AFA Boxing, Wyoming Equipment mgr., " A conversation with fired coaches" and ping-pong heaven @ SDSU? What about those LOBO's and Rebels and re-runs of Wyomings spring practice? Wunch Wow...! Love the bunch that sold this package to the conference....I hear they have a bridge to sell near Dugway too. Such "exposure" for the MWC. Sure miss ESPN.

Re: Re: Huh??? | 4:58 p.m. June 13, 2008

I guess the "oh so great" Urban Meyer is a hypocrite too then, cause he publically said he wasn't leaving the Yewts and then did. What a hypocrite!!!

bakerb | 5:03 p.m. June 13, 2008

As a returned Missionary myself (admittedly several years ago), I can fully understand the "distraction" of trying to determine what I would be doing in my Post-Mission life. I had to decide where I wanted to attend School since I would be returning in late November and had little time to coordinate the application process after returning. So, I chose to stay at home for one Semester and attend the local University (in this case it was BSU). To do this, I had to ask my Mother to arrange to send me the application paperwork and help me make the arrangements to ensure that I was accepted by BSU.

In my case, I don't think that God or my Mission President was offended that I spent valuable Missionary time arranging for my Post-Mission life. In fact, my Mission President wrote a Letter of Recommend for me.

Wouldn't it have been stressful for me if BSU had chosen to ignore my pleas for admittance to ensure that no "distractions" interrupted my service to the Lord?

Don't be DAFT!!! Mendenhall would have been rude and cruel to make these kids wait until the conclusion of their Missions to give them an answer.

BYU Fans Will Never Get It! | 5:43 p.m. June 13, 2008

Nobody cares if Bronco recruits kids while they are on a mission!!!!

Sure, every fan hopes that their players will return to play for their school when their mission is over rather than transferring. BUUUUUUUUUT, if somebody transfers, ala Riley Nelson, then so what!

The ONLY PROBLEM with this recruiting missionaries saga is that Bronco has acted like he is more righteous than every other coach out there. He is always talking about honor, integrity, commitment, and doing things the right way. Add to that the comments he has made about not recruiting missionaries and not wanting other schools to recruit his missionaries and he becomes a big hypocrite.

BYU fans will never get it. Bronco is NOT a better person than all of the other coaches out there. The fact that he puts on this facade as though he is this virtuous coach whose every action is guided by the Holy Spirit is what irritates people.

Bronco, like most coaches, would step over his own mother to land the next big recruit. The only difference is, Bronco PRETENDS he wouldn't and looks down his nose at every coach that is doing the same thing he is.

Disappointed in Bronco | 6:13 p.m. June 13, 2008

We need to recruit missionaries more often. I think we are missing out on some great athletes that if were just sent a few letters of interest might decide BYU is a better fit for them after a mission.

hey non believer | 7:11 p.m. June 13, 2008

Bronco has better things to do than bother missionarys ! I RESPECT him for not ignoring RILEY ! Obviously Riley wanted a change in his plans after his mission !.... Collies statements would be OK if he wore red ! Riley wanting to change schools would have been OK to if he had chose red also ! Then nobody would be a hypocrite would they ? Kinda like its OK for utes to judge ! But no one else !

Jim in GA | 8:26 p.m. June 13, 2008

Can't there ever be a discussion about the merits of Dish vs. Direct-TV without it becoming a forum for fans to rant about whether coaches follow the rules.
Save that for the proper forum. We in the far parts of the nation need information about getting aligned with the best provider of BYU and UTAH football games. From the statements made so far it seems both teams' fans need to grow up a little.
Now can some one tell me where I can get the most game coverage. I am a Dish subscriber but have never been satisfied with their (lack of) customer service.
Thanks.

RE: hey non believer 7:11pm | 9:37 p.m. June 13, 2008

Collies statements would not be ok if he wore red!!! I personaly feel they were sacreligious and offensive. I think looking at the ills of this world God has alot more to worry about than a BYU-Utah football game. As for Riley it again would not be OK if it were red because he does not fit the Utah system. As proven in the past few years when Brian Johnson goes down that kind of quarter back ruins our offense. The beef with it all is when Olsen left you all cried and said it was illegal, unethical, imoral ect... When Bronco did it, smart choice, good idea. It is either one or the other you cannont throw rocks when you live in the glass house.

Tragic | 9:41 p.m. June 13, 2008

BYU-Utah on the mtn only!!!! Even though I am a Ute fan and was dissapointed in the finish of the last two seasons, What great games and finishes. Yet no body will get to enjoy it because of this stupid mtn deal. DOWN with Dr. Thompson!!!!

Bronco Fan | 9:57 p.m. June 13, 2008

Some of you people are amazing...you know exactly the thinking and motive of Bronco Mendenhall. And you're sure the man is bereft of personal integrity.

Tell me, how do you do it??? I've tried to figure out my own spouse and kids for 20-plus years and I still can't do it....

Perhaps you could teach the rest of us!!!

Re: Bronco Fan | 10:45 p.m. June 13, 2008

It's simple, Bronco portrayed himself to be one way in public but carried himself in an entirely different manner in private.

FYI: If Kyle acted like Bronco has, Ute fans would be embarrassed.

It will be interesting to see how many BYU fans defend Bronco the next time his actions don't match his words after he has put together a couple of 8-5 seasons.

Story | 12:29 a.m. June 14, 2008

Hey, did anyone even read the story? Somehow this turned into a cougar and Ute bashing.
I hope you cougars enjoy sports while you have them. Rumor has it that if the animosity among fans continues to disrupt the mission of the church, sports at the Y will be done away with.

Just Me | 12:49 a.m. June 14, 2008

Suppose I was a non-athlete looking for an education:

If I chose a college, went on a mission, and decided I liked the spiritual lifestyle, I'd probably change and go to the college that fit my spiritual needs.

Likewise, If I chose a college, went on a mission, met a mentor who had a passion for mechanical engineering, I would probably switch to the college that had the best mechanical engineering program around.

However, If I were an athlete and made the same choices:

Everyone would blame Bronco, or UCLA. or Utah State, claim that I did what I did because of athletics alone.

Think back to when you were a senior in high school. For me, that is probably the time in my life where I made most of the dumbest decisions.

Is it OK if we allow these young athletes to correct their decisions, give them the right to make statements they believe correct, but may rub others as being sanctimonious?

Let's mot blame, but see how things play out on the field. I think Bronco and Whit like their teams as is. USU is just pretty well screwed either way.

Let's enjoy the season.

COUGAR/UTE FAN

re:non-believer 7-11 | 1:37 a.m. June 14, 2008

I liked what Austin said, that God blesses us on and off the field if we do right. I sure hope that is true.

I don't think Austin understands yet what a blessing is though.

A blessing could have been him dropping he ball, and losing the game, learing a lesson in humility.

I agree with the previous poster that God does not care who wins the "game", but many athletes and non athletes are blessed daily for their actins, through good times and bad times, sickeness and health, richness and poverty.

I believe that many Ute players and coaches were blessed during that game with knowledge and wisdom of themselves, who they are and what they need to do, LDS, or non-LDS.

I feel bad that too many Ute fans have hard feelings about the statement, and maybe their blessing will be one of tolerance.

As the Dahli Lama once told Carl Spackler when he stiffed him for a tip "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." Carl saw the blessing and relized "So I got that goin' for me, which is nice."

Carl....... was deep.

The word on the dish | 1:40 a.m. June 14, 2008

DirecTV.

BYU/UTAH FANS | 1:44 a.m. June 14, 2008

I have a way to solve tis whole rivary once and for all.

Quoting Caddyshack

"Judge Smails: Ty, what did you shoot today?
Ty Webb: Oh, Judge, I don't keep score.
Judge Smails: Then how do you measure yourself with other golfers?
Ty Webb: By height."

Simple...

Hypocrite - NOT | 5:35 a.m. June 14, 2008

To be a hypocrite, he would have had to INITIATE contact. It has been proven that has not happened unless contact is requested by the family (or in Riley's case, his HS coach). Bronco has NOT initiated contact with missionaries without a request from someone personally tied to the family - and even then only with permission of a mission president.

It is only angry fans of the opposition that are trying to make this a story about a double standard. Notice I do not say this is about recruiting.

Re: Hypocrite - NOT | 9:59 a.m. June 14, 2008

You are so close yet so far away.

Your rationale reminds me of college coaches. Whenever a coach is rumored to be leaving one job for another, they always say "I have not talked to school X about that job" Later, we find out that a third party was working behind the scenes on behalf of the coach to negotiate a deal and next thing you know, he is the new coach at school X.

What is the difference if BYU asks the HS coach to do the leg work for them, or they do it themselves? According to Riley Nelson's dad, a BYU coach asked the HS coach to find out if Riley was interested in transferring. That, is initiating contact.

To say "BYU didn't initiate contact, it was the HS coach that initiated contact" is like a defense attorney saying "My client didn't shoot the victim, the gun did."

The HS coach was acting on behalf of the BYU coaches in this case. He was only doing what a BYU coach had asked him to do.

The HS coach was the 'third party' or the 'gun' from my two examples above.

The Perfect Storm | 11:22 a.m. June 14, 2008

Although the economy continues to crumble, we will be playing (and watching) football until the very end...

It is our only escape from the reality of the end game that is in motion.

vaase | 12:14 p.m. June 14, 2008

THe utes are good, but

BYU is greater

just as Joseph[in egypt] gave more portionto his brother bejamin[5times more then any other bro.] so it is the same with the U and the Y

The Y getting the most

RE:re:Bronco Fan | 12:36 p.m. June 14, 2008

"FYI: If Kyle acted like Bronco has, Ute fans would be embarrassed."

Were you at the UNLV game?

Did you watch the onside kick against Wyoming?

I think if I were a Utah fan, I would already be embarrassed of Whit.

Now if Bronco pulled that type of stunt, BYU would be embarassed.

What's Bronco gonna do with the Riley kid. Put garlic around his neck, hold up a cross, and light a torch to drive a stake in his heart, or just let him play.

Oh, and I think BYU fans would defend A man like Bronco during an 8-5 season, not leave LES 1/3rd full, and set up websites calling for his job.

Now you Ute fans, go on, and try to put together a respectable season.

(UNLV coaches really laughed at you game films? That's classless. Funny, but no class).

Re: to Re:re: Bronco Fan | 10:44 p.m. June 14, 2008

As a Ute fan, I would be embarrassed about the onside kick . . . . if Kyle had said in advance he wasn't going to do it.

Eugene | 5:50 a.m. June 15, 2008

Rants with very few talking about the article. gotta love it!

FYI | 10:27 a.m. June 16, 2008

Kyle was embarrassed by the on side kick after he thought about a couple days later. And it was a foolish thing to do.

Bronco believer | 11:46 a.m. June 17, 2008

Hey "non-believer", you wrote:

"Go ahead byu fans, keep your heads in the sand and pretend you, your coach, and your school are better than everyone else when you really aren't."

Hmm, last time I checked, BYU ran the MWC table undefeated each of the last two seasons. So yeah - us, our coach, and our school are better than you. And nothing is going to change any time soon. Get used to it.

To Jim in GA: | 11:56 a.m. June 17, 2008

Jim,

It's not even close. DIRECTV is the option you need. DISH has inferior programming and horrible customer service. DirecTV now carries the Mtn. and there is no word on when or if DISH will ever carry it.

Plus DIRECTV has more channels in HD.

You'll get a nice 12-month pricing break if you are a new subscriber, I believe. You should definitely switch to DIRECTV before football season starts.

My two cents...

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