By BYU Sports Information Department
Jan. 28, 1972 -- LaVell Edwards, chief assistant on the football staff at Brigham Young University for the past three years, was named today the Cougars' new head coach.
'There is no way I can adequately express my gratitude for this opportunity. As a sandlot player in Orem, I used to follow the Cougar football team, and my youthful ambition was to be a coach. Now that dream is a reality, and I'm really thrilled,' Edwards said.
A veteran of 10 years on the BYU staff, Edwards was selected as the replacement for former head coach Tommy Hudspeth, who resigned Saturday.
'I will be ever grateful for the opportunity I have had of working closely with Tommy Hudspeth. I have added a great deal to my own background through this experience, especially in the area of organization,' Edwards said.
Appointment of the 41-year-old Utah State graduate was announced Friday by Dallin H. Oaks, president of BYU. President Oaks said the new coach would assume his responsibilities immediately.
Edwards first joined the BYU football staff in 1962 as an assistant to head coach Hal Mitchell. When Hudspeth took over in 1964, Edwards remained on the staff, serving as chief assistant and defensive coordinator for the past three seasons.
Prior to his BYU appointment in 1962, Edwards had been head football coach at Granite High School in Salt Lake City.
A native of Orem, Utah, Edwards was raised within the shadows of BYU. He was a three-year regular at Lincoln High School in Orem, winning all-state honors as a center his junior and senior years.
He enrolled at Utah State in 1948, playing center and linebacker for the Aggies under George Melinkovich and John Roning. He was captain of the USU varsity team and was all-conference for two years.
Following graduation from Utah State in 1952, Edwards played service ball for two years at Fort Lee, Va. He was player-coach at Fort Meade, Md., and his team posted a 6-3 record.
'I've been a firm believer in hard work. But I've also believed that football should be fun, a sport to enjoy playing,' Edwards said. 'I would like to think that a young man could look back on his football experiences as something he can cherish,' Edwards said.
Returning to Utah in 1954, Edwards joined the staff at Granite High School in Salt Lake City. During the years he was at Granite, he was head football coach, wrestling coach and golf coach. He also coached tennis and basketball for two seasons.
Edwards is married to the former Patti Louise Cover of Big Piney, Wyo., and they have three children: Ann, 15; John, 13; and James, 9.