PROVO — Francis Bernard, the embattled BYU linebacker who was originally set to redshirt the 2017 season for "personal reasons," has been granted a full release from the university and football program, head coach Kalani Sitake announced Monday.

“I care about him, as a person,” Sitake said during Monday morning’s weekly media briefing. “You probably don’t know all the details, but he asked for a release a couple of weeks back and we granted him a release. He withdrew from school, was looking at all of his options, and one of them was returning here even with the release in hand.

“I wish him the best in finding what is best for him.”

In addition, Sitake said that defensive back Marvin Hifo, who was cited for an alcohol-related offense with Bernard over the weekend, left the team "a few weeks ago" after suffering an injury.

Hifo, who transferred to BYU after playing at Mount San Jacinto Junior College, had one year of eligibility and wanted to play with his younger brother, freshman receiver Aleva Hifo. The senior safety totaled 18 tackles in six games for the Cougars, but suffered an injury against Boise State and withdrew from the program and the university, Sitake said.

“Marvin was on the team, and when he got hurt he notified us that he was leaving the team a couple of weeks ago,” the head coach added.

Bernard, a junior, played linebacker at BYU in 2016 after switching from running back in the offseason. He finished the season with 80 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions, but was suspended from BYU's bowl game against Wyoming for undisclosed reasons.

He returned to the team for spring practices and most of fall camp, but the coaching staff announced days before the beginning of the season that Bernard would take a redshirt year away from the team for "personal reasons."

Bernard and Hifo were cited with alcohol-related offenses during a traffic stop early Saturday morning, according to Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon. Bernard was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, driving without a valid license and failing to register his vehicle or having expired registration.

Hifo, who was a passenger in the car, was cited for having an open container of alcohol. Both former players were eventually released, with Bernard leaving after a few hours in jail on his own recognizance.

By the weekend’s incident, neither player was involved with the BYU football team.

“I’ve been vocal on how I feel about people who want to be here at BYU and kids that I want to coach. I’ve never denied anyone a release. I think that’s the best way to do it,” Sitake said.

“I was not afraid to re-recruit even Francis and hope that he could come back here. Obviously he’s going through some things right now, and I hope he knows that we love him.”

Bernard's brother James told the Salt Lake Tribune in August that the Herriman High product wanted to leave BYU — specifically to transfer to archrival Utah — but coaches were blocking the transfer. Bernard was seen and photographed multiple times with the BYU team, but has more recently disappeared from public view.

Defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki also mentioned around the same time that Bernard was "moving forward" with plans to leave BYU.

In late August, Bernard was filmed in an altercation with Provo police after what appeared to be a house party. The recording was later published by the controversial website Mormon Leaks, a whistle-blowing organization aimed at publishing documents about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU is owned by the LDS Church, which also owns KSL and KSL.com.

Documents reveal that Bernard was convicted in the Provo Justice Court of noise disturbance, a class B misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a class C misdemeanor, in incidents that took in August and December 2016, respectively. For the former charge, he was fined $150 and placed on 12 months probation.

For the disorderly conduct incident that occurred on Dec. 4, he pleaded guilty in April, and the misdemeanor was reduced to an infraction. He was also ordered to pay $150.

Bernard’s ultimate transfer decision is currently unknown.

Be aggressive

Sitake opened his media briefing by simply stating “I hate losing” after the Cougars’ 1-7 start and a seven-game losing streak that is the worst since 1968.

As the Cougars struggle to finish the regular season with chances of a 13th-straight postseason bowl appearance all but eliminated, the head coach has a new goal with his team.

“The goal is to be as aggressive as we can, and develop an identity as a team,” Sitake said. “I’ve expressed my concerns and thoughts with the coaches … but thought we were too conservative in a lot of areas. That’s not my style.”

Troy Warner out

Cornerback Troy Warner went down with an injury during the Cougars’ 33-17 loss at East Carolina, and while Sitake didn’t address the specific nature or timeline of his injury, he said the sophomore who has started since his freshman season was “unlikely” to return for game action in 2017.

“I don’t know what is going to happen with him. If he can’t play anymore, I don’t get to play with him for the rest of the season,” said linebacker Fred Warner, Troy’s older brother. “I have to savor these last few games in college football. After this, it’s a whole new level so I have to enjoy the time I have left.”

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