Show Me the Money: What To Do

 
It has been widely known that the Big 12 reached a new media rights deal worth a gargantuan amount of coin. Sports Business Journal reports that the conference has re-upped with ESPN and FOX on a new 6 year agreement worth a total of $2.28 billion. The existing deal has two years remaining, so the six year extension will run through 2030-31. New Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark since working under the direction of Bob Bowlsby, moves have proved to be genius.

The annual average distribution comes out to $380 million when the new contract begins in 2025-26 per SBJ, which is an average of $31.6 million for the conference's 12 members, not including revenue from the NCAA mens basketball tournament and soon to be expanded College Football Playoff. The current deal has an average of $220 million per year. According to Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollar, Big 12 schools will get close to $50 million annually despite the fact that Oklahoma and Texas will be departing from the conference for the SEC in 2025.

Apparently, the new Big 12's contract reportedly does not close the door for additional expansion either. it has a pro rata clause in the event of future expansion which likely could be around the corner in regards to the Pac12 shaky media situation. It has been widely reported that the Big 12 has had contact with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. The P12 seems to be struggling to reach a new deal with its media rights expiring in 2024. Thus, the Big 12 expansion seems highly likely around the corner as Yormark previously stated his desire to operate in 4 time zones.

BYUs operating budget has been ridiculously minimal in comparison from other major universities at best taking no funds from the church but through donors, etc. This would be an incredible change in the amount of cashflow to stand on. As a new member of the Big 12 in 2023 BYU's cut likely will not be in the full payout immediately but whatever their share is certainly will be rather significantly more than the $6-$10 million it was making during the Independence Era deal with ESPN.

So what does BYU do with a $1 million check, or even much more with the incoming money? Where would you spend that kind of coin?

Staffing. One could assume since it's pretty much common knowledge that the University coaching salaries are likely underpaid compared to similar positions in other Power Five conferences that there will be plenty of coin flowing to the athletic coaches being paid finally more competitively and likely adding more supporting staff members. Back in November BYU athletics showed just under 250 employees. By comparison University of Texas listed more than 470 employees in their athletic department. Expect more hires as the athletic program enters into the Big 12 era. 

Travel. During the Independent Era BYU football has played all over the country from sea to shining sea (Pac12 teams clear to Coastal Carolina as recent examples). Entering the Big 12 there is certainly a change in geography and additional miles (longer trips). The student athletes will be spending more hours away from campus completing more remote homework/assignments/projects so more tutors will likely be needed. When possible charter flights for all major sports as well.

Facilities. Although, highly unlikely BYU would build a new football or basketball facility. However, upgrades could certainly be expected. Possibly fill in the corners at LES, throw in some suites (corporate or otherwise, etc). Upgrade the restrooms and stadium seating. The Smith Fieldhouse is up in years, almost as old as Keith Richards, perhaps then a new fieldhouse for volleyball, etc. 

Recruiting. This is the lifeblood of the program. This is also an absolute must in order to compete at the highest levels. BYU will certainly need to add to the quality depth on the roster and quickly. Even with more coin available BYU ultimately may still have a limited draw pool it can offer from due to the culture and/or honor code. However, BYU can certainly make positive progress to attracting more top end LDS athletes who may have gone elsewhere due to the P5 status and find those often overlooked. Find a footprint in recruiting of the Big 12 country. 

Shuffling the Deck: Coaching Staff Overhaul

 BYU has finished the absolute overhauling of its coaching staff with the heavy focus on the defensive side. The cougars have announced the staff and their roles heading into the inaugural season with the Big 12 as follows:

Jay Hill: Defensive Coordinator, Safeties & Assoc Head Coach

Justin Ena: Linebackers

Kelly Poppinga:Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Ends

Jernaro Gilford: Cornerbacks

Sione Po'uha: Defensive Tackles

Hill arrives at BYU with 22 years of coaching experience. Jay transformed Weber State into a perennial FCS Power. Weber has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the country and has gone to dix of the last seven FCS playoffs. The wildcats have won four Big Sky titles. His defenses were among the best in the country in addition to being a proven recruiter. Coach Hill is inheriting a defense that was clearly the worst in Sitake's tenure by a wide margin (ranked 93rd). He is also making the jump from FCS to the Power Five. When Jay was at Utah they made the same type of jump to the Power Five who understand what it takes. Hill hopes to take that experience and mold the defense worthy to compete in the Big 12.

Ena comes back home to BYU where he played from 1997-2001 including four seasons in the NFL bringing 16 years of coaching experience. Justin has coached at Southern Utah, Weber State, Utah State, Utah Tech, Utah and most recently San Diego State. His defensive staff ranked 4th nationally in red zone defense, 21st in rushing defense, 21st in tackles for loss, 24th for sacks, and 25th in scoring defense. He has stated "I am beyond blessed to be able to come back home to BYU and win conference championships in the Big 12".

Poppinga has coached at BYU, Virginia and Boise State. He played in the NFL in 2008 including going to the Super Bowl XLIII with the Arizona Cardinals. Kelly has coached Kyle Van Noy (two time Superbowl Champion), Fred Warner (now widely considered one of the best MLB in today's game), Alani Fua and Spencer Hadley. Not bad for a guy from Evanston Wyoming. 

Coach Gilford was the lone defensive assistant retained on Sitake's staff. Previously he was the secondary coach for Southern Utah. SUU's defense racked up 20 interceptions good for No. 3 in the FCS in 2015, limited opposing teams to just a 102.5 pass efficiency rating, ranking No. 9 an improvement from the previous year at 111th. During his BYU tenure Jernaro has turned the cornerbacks into a position of strength exceling in recruiting a position group historically difficult at BYU. Coach G is real, honest, upfront, brings out the potential of his players and is such an important piece of this staff with what they are going to do in the coming years. 

Sione has been to the highest levels and is an absolute home run hire for the Cougars. He played 8 years in the NFL. While on the Utah staff team North in 2019 ranked No. 2 in the FBS in total defense that season also held 6 opponents to 7 points or less. If there is anyone that can help restructure and fix the current state of the DL Po'uha sure can. He is that man. 

Absolutely love this staff put together this offseason. If there was a defensive staff I'd follow into battle this is the crew. Can they revitalize, revamp and find the defensive depth necessary to compete weekly in the Big 12 time will tell but I absolutely love our odds.

Bold Declarations: A Look Back at Independence

It was back on 31 Aug of 2010, one of the most history decisions in BYU sports history when they announced to leave the Mountain West Conference and go independent in football to join the West Coast Conference in all other remaining sports. The following day, BYU made it known of a long term television agreement with ESPN. In turn it allowed BYU the freedom to broadcast sporting events on its own network BYUtv. No more of almost zero visibility on "the MTN".

At that time, there were only three independent teams in football: Notre Dame, Army and Navy. No one, would have guessed what the impact and ramifications of independence could have in store. Although, the goal in mind was two fold: access and exposure. The relationships that athletic director Tom Holmoe had developed over the years certainly played a major role then and now. BYU officially joined the WCC on 1 July 2011 and the cougars played their first independent game on 3 Sept 2011 in Oxford Mississippi. 

Before leaving BYU to become head coach at Virginia, Bronco Mendenhall stated publicly that independence was not sustainable. However, the cougars continued paving its path boldly and nobly with the end goal getting access into a Power Five Conference.

With the help of partnership from ESPN Cougar fans throughout the nation experienced a host of truly memorable games. Through its eleven seasons of the Independent Era BYU played in all four continental time zones facing 23 first time FBS opponents and played ultimately 55 games versus Power Five competition by the end of 2022. Since 2011, only two other programs west of the Mississippi (Oklahoma and USC) have more games on national networks than BYU within that same time frame. 

Such a major difference from the limited viewership of "theMTN". Holmoe wanted our spirit, tradition, and honor to play out on the absolute brightest national spotlights. BYU sports historically has been one of the best exposure tools for The Church.

Some of the memorable games of the Independent Era include the following:

14 Oct 2011 This was BYU's absolute first game as an Independent matched up against Ole Miss deep in the heart of SEC country. In the close battle BYU trailed with just over five minutes remaining 13-7. Kyle Van Noy came off the edge on 3rd and long sacking the quarterback, forcing a fumble and recovered it for the go head touchdown.

7 Sept 2013 The dynamic duo of Taysom Hill and Jamaal "Swagdaddy" Williams ran all over the Texas Longhorns in this one to a 40-21 victory combining for 441 yards rushing.

6 Sep 2014 Pretty much the same story as the previous year with the Longhorns. Rinse and repeat. However, this one is famous for Hill's Hurdle on his way to a touchdown in dominant fashion beating Texas 41-7.

5 Sep 2015 Who can forget the Hail Mary with no time left from Tanner Mangum to Mitch Matthews to beat Nebraska 33-28 spoiling the debut of Cornhusker's coach Mike Riley?

8 Oct 2016 Heading into East Lansing Michigan the cougars certainly didn't overlook the tradition and history from the Spartans. Taysom Hill guided the cougars through the third quarter but JSwag Daddy took over in the fourth. Jamaal ran for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns beating Michigan State soundly 31-14.

30 Sep 2016 No one expected a game against Toledo to be one with such offense to light up the scoreboards. The two teams racked up 1278 yards scoring a combined 108 points. Kicker Rhett Almond put this one away for BYU 55-53.

15 Sep 2018 Coming off a horrendous 2017 season and Wisconsin was ranked heading into clash of the two squads. This one looked like a total mismatch on paper. Sione Takitaki led BYU's defense with 12 total tackles helping the cougars in a 24-21 victory. 

7 Sep 2019 Zach Wilson completes a 64 pass to Micah Simon placing BYU within FG range. Kicked Jake Oldroyd sent the game to overtime against Tennessee and BYU was able to find the will to victory in double OT thriller beating the Vols 29-26. 

14 Sep 2019 After traveling back from Knoxville TN the Cougars squared up with USC who were 2-0. An interception by Dayan Ghanwoloku ultimately sealed this victory in OT 30-27.

18 Sep 2021 In the Pac12 matchup with the Sun Devils Tyler Allgeier created one of the more memorable saving plays in cougar history known as the Hammer helping BYU secure the win 27-17 over Arizona State.

11 Sep 2021 Will go down as the game in which ended the streak. BYU was able to beat Utah at their own game playing physical on both sides of the trenches. When the dust cleared it was BYU on top 26-21.

10 Sep 2022 After getting completely pushed around in the trenches from the previous year by Baylor, BYU staff and players had this date circled to deliver some payback. The cougars defense was able to get a 4th down stop in double OT defeating the Bears 26-20.

 Through the Independent Era BYU shown that they could compete against P5 type teams. With the increased exposure and total viewership, the access to Power Five football was about to change. The Big 12 came calling and announced on 10 Sep 2021 it had invited/added BYU to the P5 status officially starting 1 July 2023. Such a historic day for BYU athletics and the university. BYU was able to navigate through a rather unique time in history and college athletics which included the pandemic as well as NCAA changes of NIL. The administration, staff, and played stepped things up, made necessary alterations in righting the ship, an offseason staff overhaul, revamping it's roster, etc with the goal of competing at the highest level. Will it be enough? Only time will tell.