He's not just our team's coach, he's OUR COACH. If we temper our criticism long enough to see his vision for us as fans, he may just teach us a thing or two. Is it possible we (the fans) fit into bigger picture that our fanatacism is obstructing from our view?

What's so ironic about history's great leaders, is most often their contribution is only appreciated long after they've been removed from their position of influence and quite often long after they have passed away.

Listen to what his actions over the last 5 years are telling us. Here's what I've learned from MY COACH, Bronco Mendenhall.

Strategy: Bronco has created a core strategy that is both fitting and unique to BYU's core competencies. He's embraced the unique perceived shortcomings of BYU and turned them into strengths. When other teams have to plan for BYU, they have to match the maturity and experience that BYU brings every single year. Every successful business is built on precisely these same principals; creating a mission and strategy so unique that the competition has to make wholesale adjustments to compete. Bronco's strategy is a "disruptive" one (if I can steal the term from Clayton Christensen). The incumbents (the Floridas, Oklahomas, Texas, and USCs of the world) have relied on speed and size for so long that their strategy has reached maturity and now must try to collude (see the BCS) to prevent any other teams from disrupting their position at the top. The market for speed and size has hit a ceiling. College kids are not going to get much faster or bigger, so now they have to make sure that no one else can recruit these qualities to the extent that they can in order to prevent themselves from being disrupted. Bronco approach to college football is revolutionary, and when he succeeds other teams will try to imitate his model. We WILL begin getting the best LDS recruits available and WILL be a force on and off the field.

Creating Vision: Delivering moving speeches to players after an exhilarating run to the Y, playing soundbites from legends past to players in the stadium, Bonfires to bury the garbage from perfomances past. He's delivered his vision to the players. We need to embrace it as fans.

Circle of trust: I think coach has been very clear about his expectations of his players. Please cite me a time when Bronco ever isolated the poor performance of one of his players publicly. Only after the individual has betrayed his expectations does the player get removed from the circle of trust and all promises are off. (See Shilo Te'o's example) We can now argue that he provides the same courtesy to the fans. There is a very clear reward for abiding by his expectations and that is entrance into his circle of trust. Once you're there, you are treated like a king. Betray it and you're as good as dead. His level of loyalty to his allys is unparalleled. When you relinquish your negative voice for the greater good of the team (and it's individuals), you'll find your impact is maximized. It's a funny irony.

Seek advice from the experts: The list is lengthy: God, Henry B. Eyring and other key leaders of the church, Lavell Edwards, Steven Covey and other business consultants, Gary Patterson and other proven coaches around the country, college courses and literature on organizational behavior etc, all of which have to some extent been tapped to create this organization. One group that does NOT belong to the list of experts, the fans. We are equivalent to the tabloids in this analogy. Is that a poor comparison? Don't misinterpret what I'm saying. Sure, there are some that have a vast knowledge of the sport, however in the role as a fan, it is not being solicited for obvious reasons.

Constant Evaluation and improvement: A switch from the 3-3-5, handing over the reigns to Jaime Hill to manage the defense, putting Robert Anae in the press box, implementing team firesides to connect with the fans more, etc. are all great examples that the coach is on top of the research and development of his team. Every year we see subtle changes. Every year we see improvements. Lets have faith that something more is happening behind the scenes. I think the availability of information on the internet has led us to a false sense of insecurity; that we have our hand on the pulse of the goings-on of the coaching staff behind closed doors. Simply put; we don't! But the evidence exists that constant improvement is ALWAYS the goal. My personal observation: all changes have always fit within the core competencies of the organization, thus they are not as radical as some would hope.

Respect for everyone: Each week Bronco takes a full hour out of his schedule to take questions from fans directly. Each question is greeted with the words, "It's a good question." He understands the passion fans have and has chosen THAT venue to give them a chance to understand (important word) why the organization operates the way they do. It is a courtesy. We are not entitled to it. During his coaches show, Bronco has commented on very personal relationships he has with other coaches across the country, who we perceive as the enemy. His comments always carry a very high level of respect he has for the likes of Urban Meyer, Gary Patterson, Bobby Bowden, Steve Fairchild, Kyle Whittingham etc. I wish I had half the perspective he does. Church basketball may be less 'invigorating', but I might get further in life and have more friends.

In writing this, my appreciation for the man has increased ten-fold. I think we have a unique priviledge of watching a masterful organizer and individual at work. I'm going to take time to appreciate it now in hopes that I will be able to apply some of the lessons before it's too late. Climb aboard, enjoy the ride.