BYU coach LaVell Edwards watches his workforce because the solar units in his eyes throughout his remaining sport at Cougar (now LaVell Edwards Stadium) Saturday, Nov. 18, 2000. Chuck Wing, Deseret Information
LOS ANGELES — Throughout Pac-12 soccer media day Friday, there have been a mess of matters coated by the league’s coaches.
Some had been surprising.
For instance, Arizona State coach Herm Edwards was requested about legendary BYU coach LaVell Edwards and his function in serving to revolutionize faculty soccer via the ahead cross.
“I’m glad you talked about his identify,” Herm Edwards stated.
Herm Edwards was one of many first Black prospects LaVell Edwards recruited out of highschool. Herm Edwards took a recruiting go to to Provo however he ended up signing with California.
“It’s humorous as a result of in a while once I performed, I need to say the Japan Bowl, Hula Bowl, a kind of offers, (LaVell) was an assistant coach for a kind of groups. We laughed and stated, ‘Lastly get to educate me now, Coach, and I get to play for you, proper?’” Herm Edwards stated.
“Nice man. Had a imaginative and prescient. You’re proper, that was sort of the deal of faculty soccer was sort of trying this fashion, and BYU, they'd the variety of quarterbacks going via there, Steve Younger being considered one of them, a very good pal of mine, and different guys clearly. He was a little bit forward of the curve, he was. Nice man. All of us miss him. Nice soccer coach.”
LaVell Edwards handed away in 2016 after changing into one of many winningest coaches in faculty soccer historical past.
He retired after the 2000 season.
This season, the Solar Devils have a BYU connection on the teaching workers. Herm Edwards employed former Cougar tight finish, and former NFL head coach, Brian Billick as an offensive analyst.
“I don’t know in the event you guys know, however Brian was at BYU once I left Cal and went to San Diego State so I performed in opposition to him in faculty, So all of us sort of return collectively,” Herm Edwards informed reporters Friday.
“However it’s one other set of eyes. Our offense has modified considerably from final yr a little bit bit. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how that sort of appears to be like for us, nevertheless it’s good to have him within the constructing. It’s simply one other set of eyes, extra info. He’s excited. He’s been out and in of the constructing … he’ll be right here for camp. We clearly present him the video on a regular basis. He’s nicely conscious of what we’re making an attempt to do.”
After enjoying at Cal, Herm Edwards finally transferred to San Diego State. BYU and SDSU performed that season, with Billick lining up for the Cougars and Edwards for the Aztecs.
BYU received, 8-0, in San Diego.
Herm Edwards remembered that Gifford Nielsen was the Cougars’ quarterback that day.
“It was a low-scoring sport, I do know that. Neither workforce acquired over 10 factors, I don’t assume. They beat us. I can keep in mind it was a really bodily sport. We had a reasonably good protection,” Herm Edwards recalled.
“We performed a number of what we do now, cat protection, man-to-man. They'd a number of proficient receivers. We did a reasonably good job of defending these guys, nevertheless it was a low-scoring affair. It wasn’t like in right now’s world, 30 to 40. I don’t assume any workforce acquired to fifteen factors.”
Informed the ultimate rating was 8-0, Herm Edwards stated, “There you go. That’s a fan favourite, 8-0, proper?”
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was requested concerning the influence LaVell Edwards made in his life. Whittingham performed underneath Edwards at BYU from 1978-81.
“I used to be capable of be a graduate assistant for him a number of years later. Nice individual, nice coach. It was an amazing alternative to study from him,” Whittingham stated.
“There’s actually three head coaches that I’ve gathered data and knowledge from that basically have molded me. That’s LaVell, Ron McBride, and City Meyer. I had an opportunity to work for all three of these guys. Terrific coaches. Every had their units of strengths. So far as me as an Xs and Os man, a soccer coach usually, my father (Fred Whittingham, Sr.) was the largest affect on me. Had the chance to play for him in faculty. Finest defensive soccer coach I’ve ever been round. Between him, these three head coaches, that sort of molded me into what I'm right now.”