Happening Today: Holliday leaves BYU for Utah, Utah-BYU basketball not playing in 2016

Holliday goes to Utah: 

BYU WR’s Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Guy Holliday left BYU to join the Utah Utes staff, leading to a barrage of taunting tweets from Utes fans.

Many have said that this is an example of the superiority of the Utah program in the national picture. Others have pointed to the recruiting implications that it could have. This piece will seek to address some of those taunts, so that you can respond to the useless taunts of Ute fans. You’re welcome in advance.

Recruiting Implications: Jonah Trinnaman, a 4-star JUCO Wide Receiver Commit to the Cougars, hasn’t yet said whether he would reconsider now that Holliday has left for the Utes. But, even if Trinnaman elects to stay with the Cougs some fans may worry about potential recruiting problems, since Holliday isn’t LDS and has managed to attract several non-Mormon commits to the Y.

As someone who advocated for Holliday’s promotion to Offensive Coordinator in the past, I had believed that Holliday’s recruiting was essential tot he Sitake-era. However, the addition of the school’s only Heisman Trophy Winner (Ty Detmer) as Offensive Coordinator will have more effect than Holliday’s loss. Detmer can pitch the school in a unique way that Holliday never could: as someone who managed to win on a consistent level, both individually and team-wide.

Also, the addition of SUU’s Ed Lamb could help out in recruiting: Lamb is a former player who also isn’t a member of the LDS Church.

So, while the loss stings now, BYU will be just fine as the new staff has been assembled. Don’t forget Kalani Sitake, who’s recruiting ability was one of the top reasons for him landing the Head Coaching gig in the first place.

Is this a ‘lateral’ move?: I will continue to insist that BYU needs to join the Big 12 or another power conference in order to be able to compete nationally on a consistent basis. However, there is no reason to believe that going to a middle of the pack PAC-12 school (in fact, I’d say the Utes are just above Colorado in the PAC-12 South pecking order based on financial commitment and talent) is anymore advantageous than staying with a team that has (1) a much larger national fan base, and (2) has proven that it can recruit and compete on a power five level. I’d say this is much more of a lateral move for Holliday than a promotion.

I don’t blame Ute fans for having a great view of their teams—they are where we want to be in terms of conference positioning. However,

Utah Cancels Basketball Game with BYU in 2016 

Utah has cancelled a game with the Cougars in 2016, ending the nations 7th longest rivalry. The Utes have won the game for the past 3 years, but it was dominated by the Cougars earlier in the Dave Rose era. Only speculation has been given by the decision by the Utes.

However, many Cougar fans took to social media to attack the decision and to express disappointment that another rivalry has been cancelled with the Utes. With a game already on the schedule, they can’t once again use the excuse that they have to worry about conference play (hint, hint.)

Sitake replacement comes from Utah State 

Gary Anderson announced Kalani Sitake’s replacement as Oregon State’s Defensive Coordinator: Kevin Clune, who is currently serving as Utah State’s Defensive Coordinator. This means Matt Wells will be left with a Defensive Coordinator vacancy for the 3rd year in a row, after Klune and Todd Orlando’s departure.