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Volume 38 Issue 6
November 21, 2000

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BYU searches for new football coach

BY STEPHENSON BECK
U-WIRE
Submitted November 21, 2000

PROVO, Utah - As head coach LaVell Edwards’ final season winds down, the search for his replacement has intensified.

And although athletic director Val Hale said BYU would not list the names of possible candidates, the search is definitely well on its way.

Several candidates have contacted the university and expressed interest in the job, Hale said.

A small search committee is in the process of reviewing the candidates. The candidates will go through the same hiring process as any other faculty member, with the finalists interviewing with a general authority.

"We would like to make the announcement as soon after the season as possible," Hale said.

Although BYU refused to divulge candidate names, there is much speculation on who could be the future coach.

ESPN’s Web site lists Philadelphia Eagles’ coach Andy Reid, Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, Alabama assistant Charlie Stubbs and California coach Tom Holmoe as possibilities.

The Daily Herald mentioned BYU assistant coaches Lance Reynolds and Ken Schmidt as candidates.

The Arizona Republic also said Danny White, head coach of the Arena Football League’s Arizona Rattlers, is also interested in the position.

But everything that has been reported is pure speculation, Hale said.

"Fans should have a lot of advice not to believe newspapers," Hale said. "Most of the talk has been purely speculation. The Daily Herald published an article about potential candidates that Skousen (BYU advancement vice president) and I had interviewed, and one of the guys I had never heard of."

Reid, in his second season with the 6-4 Eagles, ended all speculation involving him last week in a team press release.

It stated: "I’m not communicating with them. Nothing is going to happen unless they get rid of me here. Then something has to happen," Reid said.

Edwards, whose final game will be Nov. 24 against Utah, has been involved in discussions concerning the new coach, Hale said.

"He feels pretty good about those interested in the job," Hale said.

When the coach is selected, he will be at liberty to choose his own assistant coaches, although Hale believes that he may decide to keep a lot of the current assistant coaches.

"We think we have some good coaches on this staff. He will decide who to keep and who to let go," Hale said.

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