The Zeitgeist List · coaching

BYU: a football coaching history

National Program I#32 of 138–
See BYU’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
LaVell Edwards
0 Dynasty · 2 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
LaVell Edwards
Regional Program II → Blue Blood (+39.5)
The fall
Gary Crowton
Power Program III → National Program II (−10.8)
Right now
Kalani Sitake
the 4th-best of BYU's 9 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)KimballAtkinsonHudspethEdwardsMendenhallSitake19401960198020002020

Every coach

2016–now
Kalani Sitakecaretaker🏆 COY
Kalani Sitake moved BYU from National Program I to Power Program III in 11 seasons.
Power Program III
84–45
2005–2015
Bronco Mendenhallcaretaker
Bronco Mendenhall moved BYU from National Program II to Power Program III in 11 seasons.
+10.2
99–43
2001–2004
Gary Crowtoncaretaker
Gary Crowton held BYU at Power Program III for 4 seasons.
−10.8
26–23
1972–2000
LaVell Edwardstransformer
LaVell Edwards took BYU from Regional Program II to Blue Blood.
+39.5
257–101
1964–1971
Tommy Hudspethbuilder
Tommy Hudspeth raised BYU from Regional Program V to Regional Program I.
+15.0
39–42
1961–1963
Hal Mitchellcaretaker
Hal Mitchell held BYU at Regional Program V for 3 seasons.
Regional Program V
8–22
1959–1960
Tally Stevensshort tenure
6–15
1956–1958
Harold Koppcaretaker
Harold Kopp moved BYU from Regional Program VI to Regional Program V in 3 seasons.
Regional Program V
13–14
1949–1955
Charles Atkinsoncaretaker
Charles Atkinson slid BYU from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 7 seasons.
−9.1
18–49
1942–1942
Floyd Milletshort tenure
2–5
1937–1948
Edwin Kimballcaretaker
Edwin Kimball held BYU at Regional Program I for 8 seasons.
Regional Program I
34–32
1936–1936
Ott Romneyshort tenure
4–5