Nick Howell: Bronco yes man w/ no football resume now BYU's defensive coordinator

[oxcoug]

Man, you guys can really miss some heavy sarcasm.

I am a student of DD's work and, like you, spotted the sarcasm.

As for all the rest -

As I said in the initial post, the fact that he never coached or played college football before coming to BYU wouldn't be an issue if his mastery and knowledge of the game demanded the respect of the players he coaches. Without going into the details, let's just say that isn't the case. His lack of a college football resume is only an issue because it underscores the fact that he seems to be masking a lack of deep football knowledge with fanatical effort and Bronco-like demeanor.

Here's a fun fact: Manu, Hague and probably a couple of others were first in the program when Howell was joining up as a kid intern hawking footballs and holding clipboards. Now he is their nominal defensive coordinator.

Meanwhile, at least one non-ass-kissing, low profile guy who is respected by every player he's ever coached, who played six years in the NFL after a stellar career at BYU, who has proven himself as a position coach at two universities - gets passed over for the promotion.

I know - these types of decisions are complex. But the impression that Bronco promoted a lookalike yes man with no resume at the expense of a guy who has got it done at every single level is unmissable.

[oxcoug]

For a quick insight into how much shared experience matters to players, here's a nice quote from Alisa:

“Coach Atuaia is a motivator...” said Alisa. “You know, he gets it. He’s been in our shoes at this very institution, and so he knows what we need to do to get to where we need to be.”

Among other things I'm imagining the parent of a non-LDS (or marginally LDS) non-white defensive star being recruited by Howell. "OK - so as someone who has never experienced the pressures of being a D1 athlete, you're the guy who's going to mentor my son through this difficult environment. As someone who didn't play pro ball, didn't play college ball, and wasn't even a standout high school football player, you're the guy in charge of getting my son to the next level. As someone who has never left the state of Utah for anything other than an LDS mission, I'm relying on you to understand where my kid is coming from."

Again - I hope I'm wildly, embarrassingly wrong - that Howell is a defensive football genius just about to explode from his cocoon. But even if he is - why not give him more time to develop?

This just feels like more Riley-style personality-based decision-making from Bronco.

The great thing is - because Bronco will be really overseeing the defense, it will be nearly impossible to evaluate Howell's actual performance in the foreseeable future.

[Indy Coug]

For a quick insight into how much shared experience matters to players, here's a nice quote from Alisa:

“Coach Atuaia is a motivator...” said Alisa. “You know, he gets it. He’s been in our shoes at this very institution, and so he knows what we need to do to get to where we need to be.”

Among other things I'm imagining the parent of a non-LDS (or marginally LDS) non-white defensive star being recruited by Howell. "OK - so as someone who has never experienced the pressures of being a D1 athlete, you're the guy who's going to mentor my son through this difficult environment. As someone who didn't play pro ball, didn't play college ball, and wasn't even a standout high school football player, you're the guy in charge of getting my son to the next level. As someone who has never left the state of Utah for anything other than an LDS mission, I'm relying on you to understand where my kid is coming from."

Again - I hope I'm wildly, embarrassingly wrong - that Howell is a defensive football genius just about to explode from his cocoon. But even if he is - why not give him more time to develop?

This just feels like more Riley-style personality-based decision-making from Bronco.

The great thing is - because Bronco will be really overseeing the defense, it will be nearly impossible to evaluate Howell's actual performance in the foreseeable future.

What's the worry? When Bronco leaves Howell is unlikely to be the next head coach's DC. For the foreseeable future, Howell will continue to be the DC in name only with Bronco wielding the real power and game planning and play calling responsibilities. This seems like a huge waste of angst especially when there are so many and wonderful places to be concerned about in the here and now.

[Goatnapper'96]

I find the meteoric rise interesting. Clearly Bronco thinks that Howell is a real up and comer. I will take it as it comes. However, I am very nervous about any coordinator that Bronco hires. He has earned the mistrust. His promotion of Jaimie Hill didn't work out well, and neither did his running off of Robert Anae in favor of Brandon Doman. He spends an awful lot of time talking about letting others run things and trying to be like Lavell. Then all hell breaks loose and he talks about the team losing its soul, or somethingoranother. I believe that people can get better at their job so it is my hope that Mendenhall is getting better at evaluating coordinator candidates but the reality is any fair analysis of Mendenhall's past in this arena is not likely to produce a great deal of optimism.

Saying that I like the Anae hire, but while I was surprised by how poorly Brandon did as OC I didn't think running off Anae was real smart. I get the feeling Mendenhall feels that way now as well.

[jay santos]

I find the meteoric rise interesting. Clearly Bronco thinks that Howell is a real up and comer. I will take it as it comes. However, I am very nervous about any coordinator that Bronco hires. He has earned the mistrust. His promotion of Jaimie Hill didn't work out well, and neither did his running off of Robert Anae in favor of Brandon Doman. He spends an awful lot of time talking about letting others run things and trying to be like Lavell. Then all hell breaks loose and he talks about the team losing its soul, or somethingoranother. I believe that people can get better at their job so it is my hope that Mendenhall is getting better at evaluating coordinator candidates but the reality is any fair analysis of Mendenhall's past in this arena is not likely to produce a great deal of optimism.

Saying that I like the Anae hire, but while I was surprised by how poorly Brandon did as OC I didn't think running off Anae was real smart. I get the feeling Mendenhall feels that way now as well.

I'm really out of touch these days, but didn't we hear that TH basically made the decision to fire Doman and bring Anae back? Especially if that is true, I have no trust for Bronco to do anything right on the offensive side of the ball. TH hired Anae the first time when Bronco wanted Stubbs (?), and then Bronco made the call to get rid of Anae for Doman and bring in all these position guys with no experience: Dupaix, Cahoon, etc.

On the defensive side of things, he made a poor decision by delegating to Hill. I think Bronco has a much better understanding of what has to happen for the D to be successful, and I think he's personally invested enough that he's not going to let what happened with Hill happen again. So I'm not too concerned about this promotion.

[Goatnapper'96]

I'm really out of touch these days, but didn't we hear that TH basically made the decision to fire Doman and bring Anae back? Especially if that is true, I have no trust for Bronco to do anything right on the offensive side of the ball. TH hired Anae the first time when Bronco wanted Stubbs (?), and then Bronco made the call to get rid of Anae for Doman and bring in all these position guys with no experience: Dupaix, Cahoon, etc.

On the defensive side of things, he made a poor decision by delegating to Hill. I think Bronco has a much better understanding of what has to happen for the D to be successful, and I think he's personally invested enough that he's not going to let what happened with Hill happen again. So I'm not too concerned about this promotion.

I tend to believe that Anae was hired by the admin his first campaign at BYU, but after that I believe that Bronco has the most say. Obviously I am sure he gets recommendations from Holmoe and perhaps even pressure, but I don't accept that since Mendenhall took over as the HC staff changes occurred against his wishes.

[byu71]

I think at this point Bronco has too much pride, self esteem, confidence, whatever you want to call it to let anyone tell him who his coaches are going to be. Yes, in the beginning I think he kissed whatever asses he had to in order to secure the job, but not now.

Someone may have pointed out to him that regardless of what he may have been told or believed, winning is more important than great firesides and turning out kids who praise him as a spiritual man. However, he is left to determine his fate as far as putting winning teams on the field.

[YOhio]

Howell explains the new title.

At BYU, defensive backs coach Nick Howell dropped the special teams coordinator role for the title of defensive coordinator, while keeping his defensive backs duties. What does it mean for him?

"Really, nothing. We're not doing anything different," Howell said bluntly. "It's just a title. I'm still coaching the secondary and our structure is the same. Not much (has changed)."

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall has helped run the defense in the past, and BYU finished No. 3 in total defense last season. But the offense struggled mightily last year, and Mendenhall wants to focus more of his time this spring on fixing the offense, which has an entirely new staff.

Mendenhall said last week that he hasn't called a single defense play in spring and doesn't plan on it. Is that for Howell to do?

"No. I haven't called one either," Howell" (Inside linebackers coach Paul Tidwell) is. I'm still in the behind coaching the back-end. We just have our system we've been doing for the last couple years and haven't changed. We're just going from here."

http://www.coachingsearch.com/home/2...esnt-mean.html

[Green Monstah]

Howell explains the new title.



http://www.coachingsearch.com/home/2...esnt-mean.html

I dont' keep up with the coaches at all, but this dude was our special teams coach last year, and he's not only not terminated, but promoted? Unbelievable.

[Eddie]

Howell explains the new title.

http://www.coachingsearch.com/home/2...esnt-mean.html

"No. I haven't called one either," Howell" (Inside linebackers coach Paul Tidwell) is. I'm still in the behind coaching the back-end. We just have our system we've been doing for the last couple years and haven't changed. We're just going from here."

Wait. Bronco isn't make defensive calls, he wants to focus more on the offense than he has in the past. So he gives Howell the job of DC. But doesn't have him making defensive calls either? The LB coach is the one doing that?

I'm so confused...

[Coach McGuirk]

I dont' keep up with the coaches at all, but this dude was our special teams coach last year, and he's not only not terminated, but promoted? Unbelievable.

Really? Why?

Punting and punt coverage was great. Kickoffs and kickoff coverage were very good. He wasnt the guy kicking FGs and EPs.

[Goatnapper'96]

Really? Why?

Punting and punt coverage was great. Kickoffs and kickoff coverage were very good. He wasnt the guy kicking FGs and EPs.

Further I don't think the shitty placekicking was the result of poor protection or execution it was simply that the kicker could not hit the kicks.

[Green Monstah]

Really? Why?

Punting and punt coverage was great. Kickoffs and kickoff coverage were very good. He wasnt the guy kicking FGs and EPs.

He's also not the guy punting, kicking off, or providing coverage, so what is your point? He was the guy in charge of making sure someone could hit a FG from beyond 20 yards. He failed at that, which cost us two games (off the top of my head).

[Green Monstah]

Further I don't think the shitty placekicking was the result of poor protection or execution it was simply that the kicker could not hit the kicks.

Which he's ultimately responsible for.

[Coach McGuirk]

He's also not the guy punting, kicking off, or providing coverage, so what is your point? He was the guy in charge of making sure someone could hit a FG from beyond 20 yards. He failed at that, which cost us two games (off the top of my head).

maybe because coverages and blocking are about assignments and can be coached whereas our kicker was injured and by mid season his head was so messed up that he needed a psychologist not a coach.