Dave Rose Reflects On His BYU Coaching Career With Fondness

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former BYU head basketball coach Dave Rose is currently enjoying his time in retirement following his 14-year stint with the cougars. He has been following his former team and has, in fact, travelled to some of their away games. His passion for BYU Basketball lives.

Congratulations to BYU basketball coach Dave Rose on his retirement. He was an amazing ambassador for BYU and the coaching profession. I admired his passion, dignity and honor and also the inspiration he became to others as a cancer survivor.

— Bronco Mendenhall (@UVACoachBronco) March 26, 2019

Rose reflects on his time with the Cougs with fondness.

“My ability to learn from them (the players), and then to watch them grow, that has been probably the best thing. Obviously, winning games was the funnest thing, I get three to four texts, emails, a day and I find out what they are doing because they are all over the place now,” Rose said.

After the recent news regarding the NCAA’s ruling that will allow student-athletes to profit off their likeness beginning 2021, Rose believes that the ruling has been “way overdue.”

“These guys have been making money for others their entire life, the toughest part is how are you going to manage it? How are you going to control it? In reality, you probably shouldn’t, it should probably just be whatever you are worth, you are worth,” Rose said.

Shortly after the announcement of his retirement, Rose travelled around the world with his wife. Three days after he returned home from a recent trip to Italy, Rose suffered a serious heart attack. Fortunately, he survived.

BYU Basketball vs Utah Schools

13 seasons pre-Dave Rose: 34-33

13 seasons under Dave Rose: 40-10 pic.twitter.com/kJkxNCz9Y0

— BYU Statsman (@BYUstatsMAN) December 18, 2017

The heart attack was the second major health scare that Rose has faced, and overcome, over the last decade. In 2009, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which he eventually beat.

Rose mentioned that since the heart attack, he has felt better than he has in decades. He has more energy, he can breathe easier and is finally at peace with his health.

He hopes to get into broadcasting once the sporting world re-opens, whether that be on a national level or local, Rose is excited to hopefully get in the booth and talk about the game that has given him so much.

Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.