from somebody who reads so many management theory books. While not always the end all be all, metrics do tend to be pretty good measures of coaching performance - unless we have now decided to buy the crowtonesque, "we are young" refrain. He reads all the management books, but publicly suffers from really head scratching management blind spots; often admitting, "I didn't realize" or "I underestimated" way too late. For any organizational leader, whether they like it or not, success often comes from accepting that perception is, reality and finding a way to work in and around that perception. This is particularly true in an endeavor like college football, where so much is driven by boosters and fans. BYU, for good or bad, has given Mendenhall a lot of top cover in the perception department, thanks to a very forgiving administration and fan base (and yes, compared to pretty much any other major team, our fan base is very forgiving).

I am often puzzled by the loyalty angle Mendenhall seems to embrace with people like Howell and Riley; while simultaneously appearing to forget that many fans and boosters expect some loyalty from him as well to make the critical choices to put the best product on the field. It is clear that Howell does not allow Mendenhall the ability to put the best product on the field. To me, Howell simply appears to be a 'yes man' who, without Mendenhall, is still coaching (and doing nothing special with) a 3A high school football team in obscurity. And again, back on the management angle, nearly every expert will warn an organizational leader of the inherent danger of tolerating even the appearance of promoting a 'yes man.' I fear the perception has, in fact, become the reality on this one.

I have always admired that Bronco sees himself as a mentor of young men, and he has done some great things with a number of our players. Howell, on the other hand, is a grown man, being paid a big boy salary, in a position where he should be qualified to be the mentor. Unfortunately for all involved, his is in way over his head here. Sure hope his University of Phoenix graduate degree works out for him.