While Lavell was definitely better than Bronco (or maybe any coach ever) with the press, Bronco is not even close to being "bad" with the press. Bad with the press is Bobby Knight or Utah's current Offensive Coordinator 0.333.
There is a certain segment of fans that will psychotically bash any coach. In 96 there was already a large group of "fans" calling for Lavell's head. They just didn't have a bully pulpit like CB to cry on.