We see people post a lot how LaVell was a nice coach and surrounding himself with disciplinarians. I only think that is partially true. He did surround himself with coaches that demanded excellence and were known for being rather prickly and even worse at times.

But LaVell wasn't all kisses and hugs either. The best comparison I'd make is that he was more of a father figure. He wasn't a bro to any of the players. When they were acting up he would call them into his office and tell them to cut the crap. And at that point, they knew it was time to fall in line.

He was stoic at practice and when observing individual drills always seems displeased. Players practiced harder when he was around. He was a great ambassador to other coaches and universities. He tried to befriend anybody that visited Provo.

But he never went around trying to make buddies out of the players. Quite the opposite. He knew his place. He provided the father like example from above and his players respected him for it. To me, he had the perfect balance.