I think you forget what kind of shape the program was in when he became HC. And I think you underestimate what kind of pressure he was under and the burden he felt. He, right or wrong, treated his job as HC sort of like a mission president would due in part to what he was told by one of the 12 Apostles (can't remember who).
I don't think you understand how close the BOT came to cancelling football before he took over.
I do agree that the cupboard was somewhat thin, but it wasn't empty. i do agree that he basically admitted that he could not really succeed as an independent and so I'm glad he left and that Kalani is here.
But Bronco deserves our respect for what he did FOR BYU football.