factors, Sitake inherited a healthier program with more resources and momentum than Mendenhall did.
It's not rocket science — look at what Mendenhall has been able to do at Virginia. It's clear he was a difference maker at BYU and kept the bar more or less where it had been during the Edwards years, particularly in the 90s.
Sitake has shown inconsistency and an inability to measure up to the standard set by the previous coach. Yes, there have been some nice highs, but the lows and the overall results haven't been lower since the 1960s. I don't think you can blame that on recruiting when the previous coach dealt with the same limitations.