(I may have the year off by a couple of years):

1999 - Something happens at BYU that has Doman really upset (not HC, but depth chart and position I think).

He gets in his car and drives straight to Ron McBride's office to request a transfer.

McBride senses that a transfer isn't in Doman's best interests and, to his credit, talks him off the ledge and sends him back to Provo.

BYU Sports message boards exist but they aren't nearly as active as they are today. Not many then current students participate. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram either don't exist or they are in their infancy.

Hardly anyone hears about Doman meeting with McBride until much later.

2017: It's announced the Francis Bernard will redshirt. Twitter, Facebook and CB all go ape doo doo with rumors.

If any of the rumors are true about Bernard exploring a transfer, his decision may not be final and he may come back to BYU just like Doman did.

Regardless, I wish people's desire to know would take a back seat to letting things play out as calmly as possible. And that people would hold off on criticizing Bernard or BYU until word can come through official channels.