Introducing Big 12 To BYU-Utah Football Rivalry: Coaches That Shaped The Game

Nov 4, 2024, 9:00 AM | Updated: Nov 5, 2024, 10:01 am

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY— The BYU-Utah football rivalry is among college football’s most intense and storied rivalries. This matchup spans over a century and captures the passion and pride of two institutions deeply rooted in Utah.

The proximity of the two schools in the state—just 45 miles apart—combined with cultural and religious factors has intensified the competition.

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As Brigham Young University and the University of Utah prepare to compete as conference foes in the new Big 12, this rivalry takes on new significance. It offers fresh stakes while honoring its rich history, and Big 12 fans deserve a good introduction.

This is the first in an intro series that will highlight the important dynamics of the BYU-Utah rivalry. We’ll highlight key figures and moments within the rivalry’s history.

In part two of the intro series, we highlight the coaches that have shaped the rivalry.

Part One – Introducing The Big 12 To The BYU-Utah Football Rivalry: Brief Rundown Of The Series

Utah coach Ike J. Armstrong

In 1925, the University of Utah offered Armstrong the head coaching position. He spent the next 25 years leading Utah to great success on the gridiron.

He produced five undefeated teams for the Utes and had five other squads finish with only one regular-season loss apiece. Utah won 12 conference championships under Armstrong.

His 141 wins were the most all-time in Utah history until Kyle Whittingham surpassed that number in 2021.

Regarding the rivalry specifically, Armstrong guided the Utes to a 17-1-1 record during his 25 seasons. He obviously played a big role in Utah’s initial dominance in the rivalry.

BYU coach LaVell Edwards

After decades of Utah dominance, Edwards turned the tide in favor of BYU. Over the course of his nearly 30 years at the helm, Edwards guided the Cougars to a 22-7 record in the rivalry game.

There were a number of memorable moments and games under his watch. He brought great success to BYU and changed the program’s fortunes. However, his impact far exceeded the win-loss column.

Edwards’ coaching tree is truly remarkable. It includes several coaches at the collegiate and professional levels. It also includes many who have contributed to each side of the rivalry.

Not only did each program’s current head coach play under Edwards, but he also embraced the role of mentor to both in their coaching careers.

Utah coach Ron McBride

Coach McBride wasn’t hired at Utah until 1990, some 18 years into Edwards’ tenure at BYU, so it says a lot about his impact on the rivalry that “McBride” and “Edwards” are almost synonymous.

After a 0-3 start in the rivalry game, McBride won his first matchup in 1993. More impressively, the Utes did it in Provo— the program’s first rivalry road win there in twenty-two seasons.

McBride coached ten more games in the rivalry and went 6-4, which brought his overall record to 6-7.

McBride’s impact on Utah was much greater than the rivalry. After nearly two decades of bad football and losing seasons, McBride brought stability, identity, and culture to Utah.

Essentially, he laid the foundation for Utah Football’s future.

Utah coach Urban Meyer

Though he only coached in two rivalry games, Meyer’s impact has been long-lasting. In his first season at the helm, he took Utah down to Provo and left with a 3-0 victory.

That may not seem like a big deal, but that was the first time BYU went scoreless in 361 contests.

However, the win in year two changed Utah’s reputation as a football program. The Utes’ 52-21 victory over the Cougars officially punched their ticket to the Fiesta Bowl.

Utah became the first non-automatic qualifier to play in a BCS Bowl Game, which obviously would play a big role in the program’s future.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall

After Whittingham decided to remain at Utah, the Cougars pivoted their attention elsewhere and ultimately landed on Bronco Mendenhall. It seems that dynamic added another layer to the rivalry.

Mendenhall started his tenure with three wins in the first five contests. However, his teams lost five straight to Utah, and he finished with a 3-7 mark in the rivalry game.

He bailed on BYU for Virginia in 2015 after Utah’s Las Vegas Bowl victory over the Cougars.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham

After Meyer left Utah for Florida and Gary Crowton resigned from his post at BYU, Kyle Whittingham found himself in a bit of a pickle. After four seasons as Utah’s defensive coordinator, he was offered the head coaching position at Utah and BYU in December 2004.

He could take over the program he spent the last decade coaching or return to his alma mater. After wrestling with his decision, Whittingham chose to stay at Utah.

Whittingham’s tenure started well overall but less so in the rivalry game. In the first five rivalry contests as Utah’s head coach, Whittingham went 2-3.

A couple of these games provided some truly memorable moments. One game, the 26-23 loss in 2009, seems to have ignited a change for Whittingham and Utah.

Following that defeat in Provo, Whittingham would lead Utah to a significant winning streak. The game action took various forms, but the net result was nine straight rivalry wins from 2010 to 2019.

He enters this weekend’s matchup with an 11-4 record in the rivalry game.

BYU coach Kalani Sitake

When Mendenhall left BYU, the Cougars turned to the former player and Whittingham protege to take over the program.

After serving under Whittingham as defensive coordinator, the mutual respect the two had for one another was an element of the rivalry that seemed to be missing previously.

Though Sitake started out 0-4 in the rivalry game, he led his squad to their first win in ten contests in 2021, ending Utah’s nine-game winning streak.

Sitake currently has his BYU program playing some good football. They will come into this year’s rivalry game ranked No. 9 in the country and a rare road favorite.