Looking at the Coaches: Paul Tidwell
Coach Tidwell became the Inside Linebackers coach my Sophomore year, so I was able to be under his tutelage for three years. I would say that is enough time to get to know a man. The thing we liked most about Coach Tidwell was that he didn’t always have to be right. When we were in meetings and he said something wrong, if we corrected him he would admit it (He wasn’t wrong very often) or if he didn’t know the answer to a question he would admit that too, and ask Coach Mendenhall and let us know right away. Other coaches I have had would dance around a question or rationalize a mistake. Coach Tidwell did a great job of having us all on the same page.
Coach’s meetings were great. We had a lot of fun in that LB room. Every now and again in the middle of an explanation or teaching point we would look up at the screen that had some scout film on that was paused and you would see that while Coach T was talking he also had a major tendency to doodle with tele-strator pen.
Coach T is a lot like Coach Mendenhall in that he likes to use outside references and relate them to football. He loves history and is always reading some historic book. Every week he would have a quote from his latest read and would use it to motivate us to do great things. My junior we went through the book, “The Travelers Gift.” And every week he would have a quote sheet prepared along with our scouting report. I still have those and I love looking at them. They are full of great life lessons.
Finally, Coach T is a beast. He played Fullback at Utah State (and he’ll be sure to remind you that was when USU beat BYU all the time) and is just an overall thick human being. I have mentioned before the stories about the 3rd floor at Ogden High School, and I am sure that not too many guys messed with Coach T up there.
Quinn,
I wish to express how much I enjoy this site. I grow up in New Mexico in a single family home (not LDS) there was no money for football. I wish I would have had the oppertunity to play. I love the game of football and I Love my Cougars. The insight that you provide is very interesting. I enjoy all the comments from others fans.
This is the one site that I feel is worth the limited time I have to read fun stuff. I can count on quality information and it is interesting to learn about the coaches. My dream job would be coaching football or supporting the Cougars somehow. Heck, I would cut the grass just to be around the team.
I can’t wait until next spring, so keep the website going!
Gunny
Dear Quinn and Mark and fans, first thanks for posting my comments from the other day/week/month whatever. The Holidays have kept me busy and the time with my family is invaluable. I have had internet access and have read the articles on this site as well as a few from KSL and the Desnews as they seem to be a little more dedicated to one of my favorite college teams in BYU. My wife, who is LDS and a huge BYU fan, keep asking me to write my thoughts about a few items of interest. I keep telling her that you two have it all covered and much of what I would say is repeat stuff. So here I go, but it may not be too insightful for fans:
First, most if not all of which I read from fans or “posters” on KSL and Desnews is rubbage. It seems a lot of Utah fans post on BYU articles and that is always funny and I have yet to read anything with merit. So lets address a few items of concern for the BYU fans…a.k.a. Utah fan. 1.) BYU is not slow. There are two worthwhile statistics in winning football games. Turnovers and Scoreboard. The rest is for personal glory and endorsements. I thought in BYU’s bowl game, they were every bit as fast, in some cases, faster than Arizona. BYU’s problem is not speed. On defense, taking proper angles and keeping ones feet moving will always negate speed. A few examples. The Eagles beat the Cowboys over the weekend and so did other teams like the Arizona Cardinals. As far as team speed goes, The Cowboys have as much or more than most opponents in the NFL, yet Dallas is sitting home while teams like the Eagles, Cardinals and Miami Dolphins are in the playoffs. Why? Well if you believe Ute fan or bitter BYU fan, its team speed…WRONG!!!! Dead wrong and wrong again. BYU lost to Arizona because of a controversial no-call on a turnover early in the game—whistle blew several seconds after fumble. And because #3 dropped a sure touchdown. There was also an interception in the end zone and a fumble during a drive which BYU had something going. Arizona was not a better team, physically. They simply had less turnovers and when one looks at the 5-6 critical plays of the game, Arizona made them, BYU didn’t. We can go on and on about the six turnovers against Utah and (was it 4) against TCU, but the bottom line is turnovers is the key to scoreboard–always has been–always will be. Check any game and the battle of the turnover will almost always lead to victory, especially when the turnover margin is plus 2-3 or higher. When turnovers are equal then its simply who can run the ball more effectively or who turned the ball over at the least crucial moment. So, as a coach and former player allow me to preach Turnovers!!!! #2 Should Austin Collie go pro this year? There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that #9 is good enough to play pro football. He will be drafted and will make a roster, as long as he continues working hard. I have no idea what round he will be drafted. The draft is a crap shoot. Any agent telling Austin Collie a particular round is lying and that includes a family member. So my advice is do not rely on “what round you will be drafted,” rather rely on whether you want to be involved in professional football wherein they do not care about you as a person, only as a productive player. Now, some people will care about you, but they are not the decision makers and do not have your best interest at heart. They only care about winning and how can you help them win. From hero to goat or goat to hero is a weekly occurance. They will trade you or not play you or dismiss you for whatever reason they deem in their best interest—not your best interest. Remember, they don’t care and any appearence that they do is strictly for show. That said, he will make a lot of money and live a wealthy life. And if good enough, make enough money to take care of his family and his children. But do not expect to be treated special or like anyone owes you something. As soon as Peyton Manning quits producing, he is gone. #3 Should BYU add to their offense. Yes, but only because they can with the veterans they have. And because they need momemtum changing plays. They have them in their arsenal, just use them more. Once you lose the veterans, go back to Vanilla and build from there. Again, only plays that will work on third down and goal line situations, not a complete overhaul—that is a false notion. (And again, the plays are already in place, just create a seam to the 6 hole instead of 5 or the fake to the middle and pitch wide to the RB. Easy stuff, but they will keep drives going and coaches engaged. #4 Should BYU change their defense. Yes, get to the quarterback more. IT causes fumbles and turnovers!!!!!! Again, nothing major, just get to the dang QB more and often. Blitz, blitz, blitz . By the way,BYU does blitz, just sometimes I saw guys going to the same gap which of course is not how it was drawn up. #5 Should Mendenhall change is approach? Are you kidding me? He is an amazing leader. My suggestion is players need to follow more and lead out like their coach more. And one more piece of advice to players—quit reading and listening to the press during the season. Hey, do the interview, just don’t read about it or concern yourself with it during the season. Never trust the press—ever!!! Thanks guys
CoachC,
Thanks for taking the time to post that. I really enjoyed it. I hope some idiot doesn’t flame you or try to be clever like “Ever hear of a paragraph?”
I think your comments were very insightful, and I agree with you about most posters.
Please contibute more in the future.
Coach C,
Wow, Great insight! I could not agree with you more. By the way I am die hard Dallas Cowboy fan. My Cougars lost there bowl game and the Cowboys lose the game they needed to get it to the play offs. Ouch! All I can do now is wait until next season.
Coach C, may I ask were you Coach? Did you play for BYU? I am glad to hear someone explain the speed issue. I was at the Utah game and the LV Bowl. I truly feel that BYU was the better team. I one thing that stands out to me is intensity, fire and motivation.
I notice that Utah, TCU and Arizona were highly motivated; they had passion and real fire to play and win the game. What are your thoughts about BYU matching that fire?
Gunny
Gunny, I am awake ringing in the new year. No I did not play for BYU. I grew up in the Bronx but played for UCLA. I even played Rugby. I was part of a Rose Bowl victory and 13 NFL years with the 49ers. we won three Super Bowls while I was there . I live in Georgia. now. As far as your question: first .it takes an amazing amount of courage to play and my experience has been that all players are. Motivated. The key is to be sharp sat all times even when others are not and allow the positive energy to perpetuate. It takes several guys to make it happen. Only byu players know. In their hearts if they were game ready through film study and practice-anything less is a sell out and in my opinion a man who lacks a personal belief in himself,his team and his coach. All three of these will divide even the best so-called teams. if byu or Dallas want to win then players must be committed and dedicated to The team-no excuses.just go make it happen
Coach C
I did some research on your resume with the info you provided. You are a big time Footbal guy! May I ask what has your intrest in BYU football? Thanks for the reply!
sechlerja@ldschurch.org
I love these posts on the former coaches and players. Thanks for posting!
With the spread offenses today it’s all about who can control the ‘D’ gap- and regardless of what anyone says-that takes speed. “Speed kills” is not just a euphemism. I watched all year as the Cougar OT’s were beat in a straight speed rush. To compensate for their slow mo-they started pinching inside-of course, giving the DE’s a better angle. Speed and power win every time. CB
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