Buffalo Savior

Everyone likes a good rumor or prediction, as I have already proven. It gives people something to discuss and analyze without the burden of reality. In this instance, I want to put forth a name that I truly think could help save the University of Colorado football team: Mr Marc Bronco Clay Mendenhall.



Can't you practically see the halo?

As a fervent University of Utah supporter, it is a very odd article topic but I also feel it allows me to evaluate the situation from a unique point of view. His name has been mentioned in relation to the Colorado football head coaching position but it didn't seem to progress past the infant stages of negotiation. I think that is a mistake. Colorado should be doggedly calling Bronco until he agrees to be their head football coach in 2013.

Colorado needs to take a honest look at itself before making any sort of football related goals for the next few years. They should not be focusing on competing for a conference title in the near future, but rather a winning record. Dan Hawkins made a mess of the program from Dec. 2005 through Nov 2010 and Jon Embree promptly knocked it down even further during his tenure.

After giving up 46 ppg (points per game) and finishing 1-11 in 2012, there isn't much lower the team can sink. This hire needs to be about reversing course for the long term, not trying to shortcut its way to the top.

A pretty good snapshot of how the Colorado vs Oregon game went in 2012.

The record is dependent on many things, but the most glaring factor has to be the 46 ppg listed above.  To even stand a fair chance of winning more than a couple of games, that number needs to decrease by at least 14-16 ppg.

Enter Bronco. This has been a historically good year for BYU as they currently rank 5th in the FBS with 14.7 ppg given up. They have been fortunate to have some breakout star emerge that are not common in Provo but regardless, a Bronco coached defense is a solid one. BYU is never blessed with the most athletic team but their defense usually finds a way to keep them in the ballgame.

Next to Rocky Long of San Diego St, Bronco is considered the authority on the 3-3-5 defense. This defense is specifically designed to limit big plays and follow a bend but don't break philosophy. While BYU hasn't had to employ it as much this year, he has it in his tool belt for a situation identical to Colorado where the talent may not be as good as the opponents. The defense would go from touch football to at least league average fairly quickly. It would give the offense a chance to get the team into ballgames.

Colorado started 3 separate QBs this season, which is actually a step up from BYU (4). While that may seem menacing, it is not an indication of Bronco switching QBs by choice. BYU suffered a string of QB injuries but Bronco remained loyal to his starters, almost to his detriment. Anyone who wins a starting position will get 100% support from Bronco at all time. While this can cause frustration from fan bases, it will inspire loyalty from the players and as much stability as injuries will allow. He will never let outside pressure force his personnel decisions.

Riley Nelson probably throwing an interception or hurting himself.
 

Bronco will be the first to admit to a limited offensive knowledge. The fact that Bronco's offensive knowledge is limited is precisely why he is available and probably less expensive than other similarly successful coaches. Fair or not, scoring points gets attention. Outside of the SEC, defensive coaches are typically overlooked and undervalued. T

he key will be to force Bronco to hire an experienced offensive coordinator not named Brandon Doman.Without diving into too much of a tangent, Doman's inability to properly establish an offensive identity probably cost BYU games and put the players in situations to fail and/or get injured.

Why would Bronco jump from a solid program to one that floats near the bottom of the PAC 12? After 8 years in Happy Valley, I think he may be ready for another challenge. The head coach of Brigham Young is seen almost like a spiritual beacon in the community. He is under scrutiny for football and about a dozen other things.

While operating under the mandate that football is not a priority, he constantly fails to meet the unreal expectations of some fans that are stuck in a 1984 mindset. Next to the service academies, BYU has one of the most unusual recruiting situations in the country. While some Mormon youth recruit themselves to the school, many other players (Mormon or non-Mormon) would never consider it because of the culture.

Your 1984 kind of champions.

Since taking over in Gary Crowton in 2005, he has a record of 73-29 overall, 24-21 against teams with winning records. He has finished in the top 25 of the Coaches' Poll in 5 of his 8 years. He knows how to win. He may not be Nick Saban Jr., but he consistently puts a solid product on the field. With BYU's decision to pursue football independence rather than aligning with a BCS-tied conference, the team has no realistic shot to play for a national title. As a coach, he wants to compete at the highest level. Does BYU give him that opportunity? No.

I seriously doubt it would happen this year because of Bronco's loyalty, but I hope it gets more consideration. Colorado won't get an elite head coach in the Saban mold but they also don't want another attempted band-aid like Embree. They need a stabilizing force that will set the program up for improved long term success and an ability to compete quickly. Sounds like Bronco to me.

Thank you to ESPN and Keith Shirts for some of the information listed in the article. I blame them if it is wrong.