BYU football: Can Sitake lead a Mendenhall like turnaround?

BYU football has its back against the wall. Now firmly in do-or-die time, the Cougars need a spark. Can Kalani Sitake do it?

There is a lot of criticism about they way Bronco Mendenhall led the BYU football program. His inability to win big games, recruit top athletes, and gain a rapport with Cougar Nation are among the complaints.

However, a strength that cannot be ignored about the former coach was his knack for turning around seasons.

The most notable of these was the 1-4 start of 2010. After three straight demoralizing losses to Air Force, Florida St. and Nevada, the Cougars hit rock bottom with a 31-16 loss to Utah St.  Morale fell to an all time low, and making a bowl game seemed impossible.

Following this, Bronco and the boys were able to regroup and get back on track. They then won five of the next six contests, receiving a New Mexico Bowl invite, and a convincing seventh victory against UTEP.

This was not a rare occurrence for the Mendenhall regime. In fact, four seasons started with 1-2 records. Of those four, three ended in the national rankings with at least 10 wins each.

Kalani Sitake has already proven that he can right the ship after a 1-3 beginning. In his inaugural campaign. He did it, ending the season with a Poinsettia Bowl win and a 9-4 record.

It appears that this year’s 1-3 start is going to be more of a challenge for the second year coach.

Mendenhall had the same record going into the Cougars fifth game of his first season.

At that point, BYU football had been through three consecutive losing seasons. Collectively, fans felt like another was on its way. But then, the Cougars went down to New Mexico, and beat the Lobos 27-24.

Next: Three Things To Know For Utah State

They went on to finish the regular season at 6-5, qualifying for a bowl game for the first time in four years. Not only did that win change the face of that season, but ultimately the direction the program was going.

The next ten years, the Cougars would have 10 winning seasons with 10 bowl games. They would end the season in the national rankings four times, and win two Mountain West Conference Championships.

I believe that this week’s game versus the Aggies is a pivotal one, just like that game in New Mexico in 2005.

They are going up against more than Utah St. They are facing tougher opponents such as, doubt in schemes, low-self perception, loss of faith in coaching and a deflated enthusiasm.

It seems the odds are really against Kalani and his clan. Can he steady the course? I think he can.

We have repeatedly heard of the love coaches have for their players, and players for their coaches. It is going to become very evident what type of leader coach Sitake is, and how true this love for each other really is.