USU Football Under Mendenhall: Will the Aggies Rise Again?

Aug 31, 2025

USU Football Under Mendenhall: A New Era Dawns

The return of Gary Andersen as head coach for USU Football in 2019 was met with cautious optimism, followed by disappointment. Now, with the re-hiring of former head coach Brent Guy Mendenhall, a new chapter begins for Utah State University (USU) Football. This article delves into the prospects of USU Football under Mendenhall, examining the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as the Aggies aim to reclaim their status as a Mountain West Conference powerhouse. Mendenhall's previous success at USU, combined with his coaching experience at BYU and Virginia, brings a proven track record. Can he recreate the magic and lead the Aggies back to glory?

Mendenhall's Legacy at USU: A Foundation for Success

Brent Mendenhall's initial tenure at USU (2005-2014) was transformative. He inherited a program struggling to find its identity and built it into a consistent winner. Here's a look at some key achievements during his first stint:

**Consistent Bowl Appearances:** Mendenhall guided USU to multiple bowl games, a rare feat for the program prior to his arrival. This included victories that boosted the program's national profile.
**Offensive Firepower:** Mendenhall's teams were known for their high-scoring offenses, exciting to watch and difficult to defend. He developed several talented quarterbacks and wide receivers.
**Recruiting Success:** Mendenhall and his staff effectively recruited players who fit their system and bought into the program's vision.
**Cultural Shift:** Perhaps most importantly, Mendenhall instilled a winning culture within the USU Football program. He emphasized discipline, hard work, and accountability.

His previous tenure provides a blueprint for success. Understanding his past strategies, player development approaches, and recruiting philosophies is crucial to forecasting his future success.

The Current State of USU Football: Challenges and Opportunities

Mendenhall inherits a program that has faced recent challenges. Analyzing the current roster, recent performance, and the competitive landscape is essential. Key challenges include:

**Roster Turnover:** Significant roster turnover due to graduation, transfers, and other factors requires Mendenhall to rebuild the team.
**Recruiting Landscape:** The recruiting landscape has changed dramatically since Mendenhall's first stint at USU, with the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) playing significant roles.
**Mountain West Competition:** The Mountain West Conference is highly competitive, with several teams vying for the top spot. Schools like Boise State, Air Force, and Fresno State pose formidable challenges.
**Facility Upgrades:** Maintaining and upgrading facilities is crucial to attracting top recruits and providing a competitive environment for the team.
**Fan Engagement:** Re-energizing the fanbase and increasing attendance at games is important for creating a strong home-field advantage.

Despite these challenges, opportunities exist:

**Mendenhall's Reputation:** Mendenhall's reputation as a successful coach can attract talented players and coaches to the program.
**Strong University Support:** USU provides strong academic and athletic support, creating a positive environment for student-athletes.
**Passionate Fan Base:** The USU fanbase is passionate and loyal, providing a strong foundation for support.
**Location Advantages:** Logan, Utah, offers a unique and appealing environment for student-athletes.

Mendenhall's Coaching Philosophy: Core Principles and Strategies

Understanding Mendenhall's coaching philosophy is critical to predicting his approach at USU. Key aspects of his philosophy include:

**Emphasis on Discipline and Accountability:** Mendenhall is known for his emphasis on discipline and accountability, both on and off the field.
**Player Development:** Mendenhall has a proven track record of developing players, helping them reach their full potential.
**Offensive Creativity:** Mendenhall's offenses are typically creative and innovative, designed to exploit opponents' weaknesses.
**Defensive Aggressiveness:** Mendenhall's defenses are known for their aggressive style, often employing blitzes and other pressure tactics.
**Special Teams Importance:** Mendenhall places a high value on special teams, recognizing its importance in close games.

Specifically, expect to see:

Offensive Strategy

Mendenhall's offensive strategy tends to be adaptable but with core principles. Typically, he builds his offense around a strong running game complemented by a passing attack that can stretch the field. The key is identifying and utilizing the strengths of his quarterbacks and playmakers. His offenses prioritize ball security and minimizing turnovers, recognizing the importance of possessing the ball and controlling the clock.

Defensive Strategy

Defensively, Mendenhall favors an aggressive, attacking style. He emphasizes creating pressure on the quarterback and forcing turnovers. Expect to see a variety of blitz packages and stunts designed to disrupt the opponent's passing game. Run stopping is also a key priority, as Mendenhall believes in forcing teams to become one-dimensional.

Recruiting Strategy

Mendenhall's recruiting strategy is focused on finding players who fit his system and possess the character traits he values. He looks for players who are not only talented but also coachable, disciplined, and committed to the team. Expect him to prioritize recruiting in-state talent while also reaching out to other regions to find the best players available.

Key Players to Watch: Building Blocks for the Future

Identifying key players on the current roster and potential recruits is crucial for assessing USU's future prospects. Consider the following when analyzing the roster:

**Returning Starters:** Which returning starters are expected to make a significant impact?
**Potential Breakout Players:** Which players have the potential to emerge as stars under Mendenhall's guidance?
**Incoming Recruits:** Which incoming recruits are expected to contribute immediately?
**Transfer Portal Additions:** Which players acquired through the transfer portal will play key roles?

Analyzing individual player strengths and weaknesses, along with their fit within Mendenhall's system, is essential for predicting their success.

For example, identifying a quarterback who can efficiently manage the game and make accurate throws is vital for Mendenhall's offensive system to thrive. Similarly, finding defensive players who can consistently generate pressure on the quarterback and disrupt the opposing offense will be key to the defense's success.

The Importance of Staff: Assembling a Winning Team

Mendenhall's success will depend heavily on the quality of his coaching staff. Key assistant coaches will play a crucial role in implementing his system, developing players, and recruiting. Consider the following when evaluating Mendenhall's staff:

**Offensive Coordinator:** The offensive coordinator will be responsible for designing and implementing Mendenhall's offensive game plan.
**Defensive Coordinator:** The defensive coordinator will be responsible for designing and implementing Mendenhall's defensive game plan.
**Special Teams Coordinator:** The special teams coordinator will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of special teams.
**Recruiting Coordinator:** The recruiting coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the team's recruiting efforts.

The experience, expertise, and chemistry of Mendenhall's staff will be critical factors in determining the team's success. The staff also needs to be proficient in utilizing data and analytics to identify player tendencies, optimize game strategies, and enhance player performance.

Recruiting in the NIL Era: Adapting to a New Landscape

The introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) has significantly impacted college football recruiting. Mendenhall must navigate this new landscape effectively to attract top talent to USU. Key considerations include:

**Understanding NIL Rules and Regulations:** Mendenhall and his staff must have a thorough understanding of NIL rules and regulations to ensure compliance.
**Developing NIL Opportunities for Players:** USU must create opportunities for players to earn money through NIL deals.
**Using NIL as a Recruiting Tool:** Mendenhall can use NIL as a recruiting tool to attract talented players who are looking to maximize their earning potential.
**Balancing NIL with Team Chemistry:** Mendenhall must ensure that NIL does not disrupt team chemistry or create divisions within the team.

The ability to adapt to the NIL era will be a key factor in Mendenhall's success at USU. It requires innovative thinking and a proactive approach to creating opportunities for players while maintaining a focus on team unity and performance.

The Mountain West Conference: A Competitive Battleground

The Mountain West Conference is a highly competitive league, with several teams capable of winning the championship. Mendenhall must navigate a challenging conference schedule to achieve success. Key conference rivals include:

**Boise State:** Boise State has been the dominant force in the Mountain West for many years.
**Air Force:** Air Force's unique option offense poses a significant challenge for opposing defenses.
**Fresno State:** Fresno State has emerged as a strong contender in recent years.
**San Diego State:** San Diego State is known for its strong defense and physical style of play.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each conference opponent is crucial for developing game plans and achieving success. Mendenhall needs to build a team that is both physically and mentally prepared to compete against these tough opponents.

Measuring Success: Defining Realistic Expectations

Defining realistic expectations for Mendenhall's tenure is important for evaluating his progress. Key metrics for measuring success include:

**Win-Loss Record:** A consistent winning record is a primary indicator of success.
**Conference Championships:** Competing for and winning conference championships is a major goal.
**Bowl Game Appearances:** Qualifying for bowl games is a sign of a successful season.
**Player Development:** Developing players and helping them reach their full potential is crucial for long-term success.
**Recruiting Success:** Attracting top recruits is essential for building a competitive program.
**Academic Performance:** Ensuring that players perform well academically is a priority.
**Fan Engagement:** Increasing fan engagement and attendance at games is important for building a strong program.

Setting realistic goals and tracking progress toward those goals will provide a clear picture of Mendenhall's impact on the USU Football program. It's important to consider the long-term trajectory of the program and the foundation being built for sustained success.

Potential Challenges and Obstacles: Roadblocks to Success

Despite Mendenhall's experience and expertise, potential challenges and obstacles could hinder his success. These include:

**Injuries:** Key injuries can derail a season.
**Player Transfers:** Players transferring to other programs can create roster holes.
**Coaching Turnover:** Losing key assistant coaches can disrupt the team's progress.
**Off-Field Issues:** Off-field issues can damage the team's reputation and morale.
**Unexpected Losses:** Unexpected losses can shake the team's confidence.
**Changes in Conference Alignment:** Conference realignment can alter the competitive landscape.

Mendenhall must be prepared to address these challenges and overcome obstacles to achieve his goals. A strong support system, including the university administration, coaching staff, and players, is crucial for navigating these challenges effectively.

The Fan Factor: Re-Energizing the Aggie Faithful

The support of the USU fanbase is crucial for Mendenhall's success. Re-energizing the Aggie faithful and increasing attendance at games will create a strong home-field advantage. Key strategies for engaging fans include:

**Improved Communication:** Communicating regularly with fans through social media, email, and other channels.
**Enhanced Game Day Experience:** Creating a more exciting and engaging game day experience.
**Community Outreach:** Engaging with the community through outreach programs and events.
**Ticket Promotions:** Offering ticket promotions and discounts to attract fans.
**Highlighting Player Stories:** Sharing player stories to connect fans with the team on a personal level.

A strong and supportive fanbase can provide a significant boost to the team's morale and performance. Mendenhall needs to cultivate a strong relationship with the fans to create a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere around the program.

Long-Term Vision: Building a Sustainable Program

Mendenhall's ultimate goal should be to build a sustainable program that can compete for championships year after year. This requires a long-term vision that includes:

**Developing a Strong Foundation:** Building a strong foundation based on discipline, accountability, and hard work.
**Establishing a Consistent Recruiting Pipeline:** Establishing a consistent recruiting pipeline to attract top talent.
**Investing in Player Development:** Investing in player development to maximize the potential of each player.
**Creating a Positive Culture:** Creating a positive and supportive culture that fosters teamwork and success.
**Building Strong Relationships:** Building strong relationships with players, coaches, and fans.

A sustainable program is one that can withstand challenges and maintain a high level of performance over time. Mendenhall's ability to build such a program will be the ultimate measure of his success at USU.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Mountain West Glory

The return of Brent Guy Mendenhall to USU Football brings a renewed sense of optimism and excitement. While challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, Mendenhall's proven track record, coaching philosophy, and commitment to building a sustainable program provide a strong foundation for success. By addressing the challenges, capitalizing on opportunities, and cultivating a strong team culture, Mendenhall has the potential to lead the Aggies back to Mountain West glory. The journey won't be easy, but with hard work, dedication, and the support of the USU community, the Aggies can once again become a force to be reckoned with in college football.

Ultimately, the success of USU Football under Mendenhall will hinge on his ability to adapt to the changing landscape of college football, build a strong team both on and off the field, and inspire a winning culture within the program. While the path to reclaiming Mountain West glory may be challenging, the potential rewards are significant. The Aggie faithful eagerly await the opportunity to witness the transformation and cheer on their team as they strive for success.