I laud stories about off the field stuff with BYU. It's classy. I like the Thursday hero thing and I don't mind them doing firesides and everything.

I do feel though like I'm reading more and more that Mendenhall is very centered on those kinds of things. Emphasizing a de-emphasis on football. I was reading something about him saying how the players have church callings and are married or looking to get married and so forth. Thus shorter practices. Why are the personal lives of student athletes even relevant to the football program? Are other football players not pursuing relationships and involved in school and church as well?

Is there any other entity on campus that is extracurricular that downplays its own importance since there are other things that are more important in life in a similar way?

Does byuTV tell its student employees that since there is more important in life, be sure to place byuTV after 4 or 5 other priorities - as a point of emphasis? I think...I think a BYU education teaches you what is important. This is a given being at the university. Why is it a central theme to the football program? I hear people commend what "Bronco is doing with those young men." Why is this the role of the football coach? Wouldn't it come, if it does from a great coach, secondarily as an add on? A bonus? A great FOOTBALL coach and a great mentor? I mean, where are all the students that aren't football players to get coached up on life? Are they simply out of luck?

I would assume that if you're going to have a football program, you have a standard football program. Then all the positive coach mentoring and emphasis on priorities is the icing on the cake that is in addition to a great football program first and foremost. Just like the chemistry department, and the animation program and the ad lab and admissions committee and so forth.

Why does it seem like BYU Football is exempt from an expectation to excel in its sphere just as any other entity is expected to excel in its sphere. Personal lives aside.