I didn't realize his dad played only one year at BYU.

IMO, that goes a long way in explaining his career decisions and attitude. The roots don't run deep.

Later on his dad coached at both BYU and Utah.

Sure his brothers and he played at the Y, but that was probably more about it being the best offer available and not about it being a childhood dream to not only play CFB but do it at BYU, and the end game was getting to the NFL. If they had a major P5 offer we probably would have seen them go there just like we see LDS kids doing today.

So when BYU didn't give dad a job later on but Utah did they didn't feel they were making a huge betrayal. After a few years at the U, allegiance had switched.