The HC takes BYU completely out of consideration for the huge majority of players. That includes non-LDS who would otherwise come here for a chance to play. Those kids go to USU, Boise, etc., etc.

Then the HC rigors and associated punishments then turn off an additional, sizable chunk of players within our core recruiting demographic.

We’ve been better than now—sure. But things were done differently under Lavell. See McMahon, Jim, for starters. Bronco put together some good and very good seasons during the era of strict HC enforcement. But his second act was worse than the first and not getting better.

It’s our cross to bear. We’ve doubled down on this Puritanical standard, and it’s the program’s biggest challenge.