BYU football: Who stays and who goes under new OC Jeff Grimes?

Running Backs Coach: Reno Mahe

Reno Mahe has been with the Cougars since 2015 as well, and was apparently a hire made by Kalani Sitake, not Ty Detmer. So there’s plenty of reason to think Mahe won’t be going anywhere. However, if Grimes is given the autonomy to make his own calls, Mahe might be out. Mahe is an unbelievably nice man, but the production hasn’t been consistent from his players. Outside of Jamaal Williams, BYU football has struggled to find a lead back. It looked like Ula Tolutau, then Squally Canada, but the backfield is still as cloudy as ever.

Prediction: Out

Coaching for 22 years, Grimes has experience all over the nation. Which also means he’s got plenty of connections. I don’t think Sitake would want to necessarily see Mahe go, but this might be up to Grimes. Grimes is a fiery coach, so maybe he will appreciate Mahe’s calmness. But I think he’ll want a guy that gets a little more fired up.

Wide Receivers Coach: Ben Cahoon

Cahoon went from coaching with BYU football, to selling medical equipment, to coaching with BYU football. That’s not a typical coaching trajectory. During his first stint with the Cougars, the team never had great quarterback play. Now in his second stint, the receiver play isn’t great and the QB play is equally poor. So it is tough to judge him. But at the same time, it’s his job to coach up his players and make them better, which hasn’t happened.

Prediction: Out

Paul Peterson has experience as a wide receivers coach. Fesi Sitake does, too. Both of those coaches also have a plethora of play calling experience. I think they’ll both be in consideration, and depending on how much BYU is willing to spend, they may both end up on the staff. Another name to look out for is Margin Hooks. Hooks would be a huge get for the Cougars, but has previously said they can’t offer him the type of money he’d be looking for.