Big 12 Media Day: How the league is dealing with anti-Mormon jeers and other notes
Charlie Riedel
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark addresses the media. October 22, 2024As is always the case, Big 12 Media Day offered a bevy of quotes which included several noteworthy nuggets with regards to BYU football, its immediate future as well as other issues surrounding what is now considered one of the conference’s elite football programs.
One unfortunate issue in particular is the anti-mormon chants that have occurred at certain times during this past season — particularly in games at Colorado, Cincinnati and Oklahoma State. The conference penalized both the Buffaloes and Cowboys for the chants, which were typically led by the student section, although the issue remains prevalent and likely to be addressed further in the coming months.
“I can tell you (and) I speak on behalf of my role as commissioner, as well as my 16 institutions (that) we have a zero tolerance for that kind of behavior on a go-forward basis. Zero tolerance,” said Big 12 Conference Commissioner Brett Yormark during his opening press conference. “We have a meeting set up with the presidents, which make up our board, and our athletic directors in August to address that situation and that topic very intentionally to make sure we are better next year.”
Wrong made very right
Of all the great plays made by BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier last season, few would argue that his late quarter touchdown run versus Utah wouldn’t be considered his most iconic. With the Cougars clinging to a 17-14 lead late in the fourth quarter, the freshman phenom took what was an apparent quarterback draw 22 yards for a touchdown while taking on or avoiding multiple would-be Ute tacklers.
But in an interview with ESPN’s Louis Riddick, Bachmeier revealed that he actually made the wrong read on the play.
“Honestly, they actually got to a look where I should have (and) I should have passed the ball,” Bachmeier admitted. “But I figured I’d just kind of take it and, I don’t know, I feel like when I have the ball in my hands, I just want to go score. I saw some green grass, made some guys miss got some help from the guys to get in.”
Indeed Bachmeier had help, perhaps particularly from offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho, who helped heave his young quarterback into the endzone for what will be a play Cougar fans won’t soon forget.
Sitake weighs in on the 24-team playoff proposal
One of the hot topics during Big 12 Media Day, and indeed with any conference around the country, is the proposal to double the college playoff from its current 12-team structure to involve 24 teams. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake weighed in on the topic.
“I don’t make all the decisions when it comes down to how many teams get into the playoffs, I’m not in the business of campaigning for that either,” Sitake said. “We just have to go to our job and play our best and see what happens. I understand how difficult it can be for a committee to select teams (and) there are going to be teams that are left on the outside. My approach is to stay humble and hungry and work hard and find ways to be better. I’m not going to campaign for that but I can say if you ask me the system and how many teams you want to be available, 24 makes the most sense where everybody can feel comfortable being in a playoff. The FCS has been doing it for a while and other divisions of football have been doing it but I’m not the decision maker on that stuff. All I can deal with is what we have right now and focus on that and be positive and optimistic about it.”
K-Pop from the start
In the wake of Jay Hill’s departure from his post as BYU’s defensive coordinator to Michigan, Sitake made mention during interviews that he largely had his mind made up with regards to whom would feel the vacancy. Kelly Poppinga, who served as BYU’s defensive edge coach and special teams coordinator last season was at the top of his mind throughout.
Through his time on BYU’s staff, Poppinga has only confirmed that he’s the right man for the job, according to those who know best.
“I knew he was going to be special long ago, even before he came on the staff,” Sitake told the media. “The reputation that he created for himself as a coach and in recruiting as an assistant has been really impressive. Guys like Fred Warner, Sione Takitaki and Harvi Langi were singing the praises of Kelly Poppinga. Especially Fred. Fred really loved him, so I took note of it.”
Indeed a strong recommendation from a player who is widely considered the top linebacker in the entire NFL carries some weight. Poppinga served as Warner’s position coach from 2014-2015 before leaving to join Bronco Mendenhall’s staff at Virginia.
Another key retention to BYU’s defensive staff is Gary Andersen, who will be aiding Poppinga tremendously, much as he did for Hill after joining the Cougar staff in 2024.
“His impact has been so good for our program. He knows the front really well. He’s been a coordinator, a defensive line coach and a head coach so there’s been some really cool lessons that he’s learned and I get to benefit from,” Sitake said. “It was really fortunate for me to keep him here because everyone wanted him, including Michigan and other places. For him to want to be here, with these young men and me is a huge honor. I am definitely one to admit that I don’t have all the answers for myself but I have some really good people around me.”
