freshman during the Tommy Hudspeth era. I've watched the evolvement of the honor code and its impact on the program; I've also observed the increasing numbers of players who are returned missionaries. ACT scores have increased significantly and BYU has become increasingly selective over the years.

The college football world has changed dramatically since the Hudspeth days. The game itself is much more sophisticated in terms of the evolution of defenses as DCs have countered the development of the passing facet of the game.

The challenges faced by the head coach at BYU have likewise changed significantly with a Church facing increasing scrutiny in the era of the internet. Recruiting is far more difficult for the simple reason that the world in general continues to deteriorate at an accelerated pace. Admissions and academic standards at BYU are more stringent. Dealing with the increased numbers of returned missionaries on the team with the corresponding lack of continuity, impacts on conditioning, etc., make the job, as Lavell Edwards told Mendenhall, the toughest one in college football.

I detest mediocrity, be it in academics, sports, politics, or in my particular industry. I'm old enough, however, to have observed the evolution of football at BYU and I appreciate what a unique, challenging, and difficult job coaching at BYU has become. I also do my bit to assist the program as a legacy donor.