I have been around for a very long time but recently registered to post.

These are my observations:
1) for those of you who judge Howell on his high school w/l record, take a look at the history of Ben Lomond. Not sure there have been winning coaches in my memory (about 30 years of living in Utah). There is something else amiss within the team, injuries, attitude of some players, inexperience, who knows, but for the total collapse this year indicates to me more than coaching. Maybe he has not handled things absolutely correctly but there is more here than just him.
2) for those who chastise Mendenhall for is football is 5th need to read up some on other coaches. Lombardi always said that football was 3d, faith, family, football. Joe Gibbs had it fourth behind faith, family and friends (according to Mark Schelerith (sp)). His view is not novel, the days of football is everything speaks to an all consuming view of life which is illustrated by the ills of the game in both college and the pro's today. There has to be higher priorities than football in every way.
3) my first BYU game was a UTEP - BYU game in 76 or 77 not sure so I have been around a bit and have seen the ups and downs of the program.
4) Not a fan of independence but then some suppose we drive the boat. We are merely passengers, not much we can control, except show a quality program.
5)I go to one or two away games a year and find the BYU fans at the away stadiums much better than some of the whiners at Provo.
6) been to several games at Rice Ecceles stadium with BYU stuff on and never ever been accosted or shown much disrespect. At times we choose to cause our own trouble.
7) Some of you need a life. BYU football is not the end all wherewithal.
8) Finally, if you are so unhappy with things, either stop going to games, stop donating, and stop reading the message boards, you have control over that. The only conclusion that I have is that you want too be unhappy.