NewsNet Services
At a press conference today, LaVell Edwards, the seventh-winningest coach in college football history, announced that he will retire as BYU’s head coach at the end of the 2000 season.
Edwards said that he made the decision last winter to retire after one more season. He also said that he wanted to make this announcement before the season, so that the team could focus on their play and not have to worry about any speculation about his retirement that might have been circulated.
The announcement should invigorate the Cougars who face an especially tough schedule this year, beginning with their season opener Aug. 26 against reigning national champion Florida State.
Edwards has long been a part of BYU football. Edwards joined Hal Mitchell’s BYU football staff as an assistant coach in 1962. He was named the Cougars’ head coach in 1972 and has had winning seasons every year but 1973.
Edwards has coached his teams to four top-10 rankings and 13 top-25 finishes. The highlight of Edwards’ career came in 1984 when the Cougars won the national championship.
BYU president Merrill J. Bateman announced right after Edwards’ retirement that Edwards will work in the President’s Office for at least a year “in the further development of BYU Athletics.”
Mountain West Conference Commissioner Craig Thompson believes Edwards’ legacy will live on.
“LaVell’s credentials designate him as one of the all-time great college football coaches, but his legacy might be that he is an even better person,” Thompson said. “Considering the solid program he built and the tradition of football at BYU, I’m sure the program will continue to flourish. The bowl games and the championships are a way of life in Provo.”
NewsNet will provide continuing coverage of Edwards’ retirement throughout the day.
See related story:
Video: President Bateman commends Edwards for his 29 years of dedication 8/17/00
Video: Coach Edwards fields media questions 8/17/00
