Several years ago, during Grimes' first stint at BYU, I had regular access to team practices and workouts. I've gone on record that I was sold on Grimes during his first stint and was therefore giddy when it was announced he was returning to BYU.

I'm not qualified to judge Grimes on his football IQ, but what I saw first-hand in Grimes was a coach who took command of a team, earned player respect, and created a winning culture.

During his second term at BYU, he took a team that lacked accountability, discipline, and toughness, and in just 2 seasons made all three of those areas a strength. It was a visible and stark change.



I didn't expect Grimes to last long at BYU because I've long believed he's a terrific coach who will one day be the head guy at a P5 school. However, I am surprised and disappointed that he left BYU for another OC position of a mediocre program (a hurtful reality of BYU's position in CFB).

But more importantly - as far as BYU is concerned - I'm worried that he's leaving a void that we might not be ready to fill.

I think we have coaches in place who are capable with Xs and Os. I think ARod can be just as good as Grimes with playcalling. I think we still have guys who can develop gameplans. I think we have "players coaches" throughout the staff, but I'm not certain we have a coach like Grimes who demands accountability and instills toughness.

ARod doesn't strike me as that guy (though admittedly I've not had much opportunity to be around him). Fesi doesn't strike me as that guy. Is Mateos that guy? — and if so, why did Grimes not bring him along to Baylor? Unga?


Those who are suggesting the loss of Grimes isn't a big deal really fail to understand the importance of culture within a program; or maybe they fail to understand how impactful Grimes has been in creating that winning culture. We have many bright and capable coaches on staff, but Grimes was the tone-setter and the Alpha. Losing him is a BIG deal. I hope ARod is ready and capable of stepping up.