Describing an opposing team: Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck.

Describing an opposing team: Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck.

In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.

In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.

Reminiscing: No one knows ... until you live it, to be there, to tee it up each week, to get read more

Reminiscing: No one knows ... until you live it, to be there, to tee it up each week, to get yourself ready, the players and whatever else.... I think it's a very, very difficult, tough and demanding job. And to be able to, particularly, stay at the level of expertise that we have over the years. Along with the fact that we have made football a presence at BYU. I think those are the things that are about as satisfying as anything that has happened. Then, of course, the players.... I think the thing that will be the most difficult is leaving the relationships and the involvement.

The main reason for doing it now ... had more to do with the players. This is a great group. read more

The main reason for doing it now ... had more to do with the players. This is a great group. This particular group has really worked hard to prepare themselves. And we have a chance to have a good football team.

Football is a game of cliches, and I believe in every one of them.

Football is a game of cliches, and I believe in every one of them.

I feel an autumnal Saturday, no matter how beautiful, is wasted if it doesn't find me sitting in on a read more

I feel an autumnal Saturday, no matter how beautiful, is wasted if it doesn't find me sitting in on a football game.

Commenting on LaVell Edwards' contribution to college football: He may not be at the head of the class, but whatever read more

Commenting on LaVell Edwards' contribution to college football: He may not be at the head of the class, but whatever class he is in it doesn't take long to call the roll.

I feel that the progress I have made as a coach, as well as a person, is a direct result read more

I feel that the progress I have made as a coach, as well as a person, is a direct result of the growth that I have made through my Church callings. I had the opportunity to serve as a bishop in a campus ward while I was still an assistant coach. When I was appointed head football coach in 1972, I decided to approach my role as a coach much the same as I did as a bishop, delegating responsibility to my assistants, putting responsibility on the players for self-improvement in all aspects of their lives, and using personal interviews with players to try to give positive reinforcement and encouragement so that they might do their very best and reach their full potential, both on and off the field.

When we have adversity we oftentimes tend to look around and think that we're the Lone Ranger. We tend to read more

When we have adversity we oftentimes tend to look around and think that we're the Lone Ranger. We tend to believe that we're the only one who has problems. And we always look around and see others who are more talented, taller, smarter, handsomer, or faster. I can assure you, everyone has problems—even football coaches. The ability we have to handle this adversity will determine the degree of success that we will have in life.