PROVO, Utah -- Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall called the shots last week when it came to the defensive scheme, and after Boise State scored 55 points against the Cougars, that plan has changed.
The players say that if the coaching change proves anything, it is that coaching is not the problem -- it is the players’ execution.
"I think if anything that was evidence that it's on us -- nothing to do with the coaching. We are being coached really well. We are coached really well I think each and every week we've had a great scheme," senior defensive back Skye Povey said. "I think at the end of the day we are not making plays that need to be made. There is no one to point the finger at but ourselves, the players and the coaches are going to try and take responsibility but at the end of the day I think it's on us."
Mendenhall will take a backseat to play calling, but will still try and be as involved as possible.
"What I plan to do is just support all of our coaches the best way that I can. So one of the next steps for our program to really grow and develop is continuing to increase the capacities of the coaches on my staff," Mendenhall said. "So, I will not only be an aid to Coach Howell but Coach Anae and I'll help any way that I can to make sure the plans are exactly how they are supposed to be."
Another part of his job is trying to get his players away from all of the negativity from fans and media.
"Some of the things the kids have shared with me, as I'm not a social media person, man they are pretty cruel," Mendenhall said in regards to the criticism his players are receiving. "My advice to them is to not participate, but that is this generation’s mode of communicating. The best thing that I can do is make sure that our football offices and culture here are a place they want to be."
The Cougars head back out on the road to take on Middle Tennessee on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. mountaintime.
