The Beginning of the end

It’s time for Provo to understand this message, and the only way to get the point across is preparing this post like a talk read over the pulpit at their local ward house.  This “talk” will being and end just like any other “talk” you hear at your local 165^th singles ward. The intent for this being written is that you UNDERSTAND why the University of Utah and Brigham Young University need to take a break and eventually end the series. I will begin.

         Good morning brothers and sisters, my name is Chris Bryant, I just moved into the ward two weeks ago, and we all know the drill.. The new guy has to get up here and tell everything about him and his family. I have been given the topic of JEALOUSY. Well when I was assigned this topic I went over to my trusty laptop and typed this word into Google and ended up on dictionary.com.  “Jeal-ous-y: Resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, or against an others success or advantage, mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of a rival, vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.” Fortunate for us we have a modern day example of jealousy and that is the athletic department at BYU. This time last year the University of Utah was invited to join the Pacific 12 Conference in all sports. It was like Christmas day for Utah fans. This new affiliation with the PAC 12 was more than icing on the cake. This of course was an epic change for the Ute’s athletic program. Utah would be playing teams of greater talent such as, Washington, Cal, USC, Oregon, and Stanford. The change in competition speaks for itself. After the news had arrived there was a fellow conference member who became very jealous.  For years BYU and their fans had thought, ”Are we not the big brother?” (In all reality they never were) This brothers and sisters, was the beginning of the end and eventually lead to the biggest display of jealousy in history.

 Just days after Utah enjoyed the feeling of future success BYU was in hot pursuit to show how GREAT they really were, in an act of jealousy towards the University of Utah, BYU announced they would for go any conference affiliation and become independent, boasting them selves as a national power house and had they felt that they deserved better recognition. This story reminds me of the begging of a break up with an ex girlfriend or boyfriend, and I am sure others can relate. Ex’s are always lurking and trying to find ways to make them selves look better and try to show how happy they are when in all reality they are miserable and envious of your successes. Instead of trying to help them selves, they try to beat you down and this leads to doing things behind your back, like spreading nasty rumors. They will even convince some of your friends and maybe even co-workers how “bad” of a person you are.  Utah and BYU were in a long relationship. It started on April 6, 1896 with Utah beating BYU 14-4. Not a good start to the relationship right? But things really never changed Utah just beat down BYU for decades, it was a joke really. BYU stopped playing football for 23 years, upon their return in the 1922 season Utah beat down BYU 49-0. BYU would not win a game for 22 years.  Did it still change? No, no it didn’t up until the 1972 season Utah lead the series 41-8-4! Does this sound like a rivalry game to you? In the late 60’s there was talk that the game would not be played because of how lopsided the series was. This of course changed when BYU brought in Lavelle Edwards. BYU went 19-2 against Utah from 1972-1992. During these years Utah had an AD who could careless about Utah football, and it showed. This man was Arnie Ferrin. To leave it as simple as possible, Arnie didn’t do a good job. Utah brought in Chris Hill as their new AD and things began to turn around.

Hill’s notable hires were, Ron Mcbride, Rick Majerus, Urban Meyer, and Kyle Whittingham. During the years of the above-mentioned coaches, the ship was being turned around and competition heated up, close games and last second miracles. I guess you could say a rival was born. During BYU’s football dominance Ute fans heard for 19 years how BYU was going to head to the PAC 10 and leave “little brother Utah” in the dust, and how BYU was on to bigger and better things and Utah wouldn’t be a part of it. For 20 years BYU enjoyed success, in my opinion they sat down to long at the buffet line. They began to gloat about how powerful they had become in just a short amount of time. But all good things come to an end, and they came crashing down for cougar town.  What did it feel like to see your “little brother” beat you down to earn a BCS birth in 2004? What did it feel like in 2008 when Utah beat you down again to earn the right to play Alabama in the 75^th Sugar Bowl?  And finally what did it feel like to have your “little brother” now a member of an elite conference you claimed you would join by a score of 54-10? Does this story sound familiar brothers and sisters? A group of people who came from nothing, enjoying two decades of great success and seeing it slip away.

Over the years BYU fans players and coaches became drunk with stupidity and pride. They began boasting that God had his hands in the work of the BYU football program. And current coaches claiming that they received revelation for certain play calls, and players insisting that they are living a far more righteous life than those of their opponents and this results in magic happening. We are now going to fast-forward to July 10^th 2012. AD Chris Hill announced that Utah will not play BYU in football for two years and that it will be evaluated in the future to best suit the needs of their university. Chris Hill is a leader and he is doing what he thinks is best for the players and for his athletic department to be successful. It should be left at that nothing more nothing less.  Utah is headed for greater things and nothing should hold them back. Remember in the 80’s BYU was saying the same thing about their football program? Seeing a former conference member enjoying success and rival to boot is pretty upsetting right? Lets bring this into perspective again. Your boyfriend/ girlfriend is about to end a lopsided relationship filled with hatred, stupidity, fights and physical beat downs. Pretty easy decision you would think. They are making a grownup decisions and it would be best for the both of you to part ways. What would you do? I for one would move on with what I have and leave it be and be the bigger person. But in the ultimate act of jealousy you wouldn’t do that and that’s just what the Cougars did. The shoe was now on the other foot and it was time lash out against our rivals (ex’s) to prove they are making a bad mistake!

BYU media day was a great opportunity to whine and complain about this potential break up. Their focus was not on the progress of the football team but what they could say about the Utes that could make them so upset they would have to say something back? BYU gathered around as much media as they could so they could say “mean” things about Utah, BYU acted like a young kid who throws stones and runs and hides after the stone is cast. Their leader Tom continued the outcry of jealousy claiming they did all that they could to keep the rivalry going. And that it’s all Utah’s fault. This was the biggest out cry for help BYU needs Utah on their schedule to help them stay relevant compared to other programs win or a lose. But what they didn’t know is that Utah was already moving on to bigger and better things. The day after BYU media day, Utah announced a new home and home series with Michigan. This was another big blow to the eventual “ex” that the hotter guy/girl had won Utah over. BYU would now reach out as far as they could in an act of jealousy by stirring the media up in frenzy.

Patrick Kinahan and 1280 the zone would turn out to be BYU’s biggest help to get them selves on the fast track of feeling better. By stirring the pot as much as possible to get BYU and Utah fans in fights over the radio, in an effort to reach more listeners and to help BYU get over them selves. But the effort is all for nothing brothers and sisters, BYU has a problem deep with in them and we all know what this is and it’s an ego the size of Jupiter and pride as hard as a rock. Lets give BYU its dues, they did try to “see other people” but I don’t think their LDSsingles.com profile was good enough. They went out on dates but all they could do was boast about them selves and demanded only what they wanted with no compromise. They are not holding to a strong medal object in the dark brothers and sisters, they will eventually end up like their little sister Rick’s College if they don’t see the light.

BYU you have been given advice from one of your media “leader” Greg Wrubel and I beg of you head to the message. “Utah is doing what they think is best for their program.” Take a step back! Utah and BYU have simply out grown each other they are both headed in two opposite directions, and trying to re-kindle something that in all honesty has only been there for 30 years is not the way to go. BYU it’s time to tell your “cousins” and “close friends” the media to take a deep breath and realize the change that is coming. Focus on BYU’s path and Utah’s path separately, I promise it can be done if you focus and study! The PAC 12 needs to be a point of focus daily and the “ins and outs” of what is going on in the conference will only strengthen your followers and knowledge. In closing brothers and sisters I want to share with you how I truly feel. I know that taking a two-year break is the right call, and eventually ending the game forever will only make both teams stronger. Don’t do what BYU has done. Do not boast your pride. Do not pretend you are something you are not; it will only make you weaker brothers and sister. I know what I have shared with you today is a lot of information but please take it to heart. I say these things with great respect AMEN.

 

Time for Salt Lake's media to grow up.

It’s time to grow up!

This is something as children we heard quite often. But as adults we fall short of this as well. Our local radio stations and newspapers are cluttered with comparisons between BYU and Utah athletics. And it’s time for this to STOP.  It’s time for our media outlets to focus on the Pac 12.  I am not alone when I say I am so sick of hearing media outlets pump the radio with awful comparisons. Host of local shows will try to throw jabs to gain more listeners and gain a bigger response by having disgruntled callers blow up their phone lines. I have a novel idea, lets focus on future opponents in the Pac 12. Instead of focusing on the task at hand and future events our media talks about dumb things players said during a practice to get people to call in.

            Lets face the truth, when Utah got the invite to the Pac 12 they stole all the thunder for sports in the state of Utah. And it still should. Our local media needs to focus more on what other schools are doing in the conference and not what TDS is doing in all world camp 2012. I agree BYU is decently deserving of coverage they play in D1 football in the same state. But in reality this is PAC 12 football! USC, Oregon, Cal, UCLA, Stanford, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and now Utah! Did we simple forget that we play these schools? Do I need to remind everyone that this is the big time! Utah has a shot every year to play for a Rose Bowl, and yet we muddle that with Bronco’s 7^th commitment? C’mon!!! I know we are all new to the Pac 12, but it is time to stop the childish s*** and focus on the task at hand, we need to elevate what Utah has done, we need to put emphasis on what is at stake and hold people to a higher accountability. 

As you read this I am working in Little Rock Arkansas, when I flip on the local radio I don’t hear bickering and childish slanders toward other SEC teams, all I hear is how Arkansas is going to be a better football and or basketball team. This is also true for other teams in our own conference, and yet the SLC media has fallen flat on their face. I want to ask a simple favor to all those we read this help me spread a specific message to our local media and newspapers, and the message is simple.

                                            IT’S TIME TO GROW UP!

Brian Johnson as Utah's OC

Brian Johnson as Utah’s OC and the effects it will have.

          For a moment I want you all to sit back and think of what you were doing at the age of 24…. Now you have taken that moment, I want to share with you what I was doing at that age. I was in school full time and working at The Cheesecake Factory full time. I was coaching a 9^th grade JR youth football program in Holladay Utah. I lived a pretty basic life for a 24-year-old. While I was in school I was perusing a career at where I was employed, I did everything in my power to reach the position I desired. Fast-forward three years, I finished school and had a program set up where I could graduate from an hourly employee position to a salaried position. The time was right I paid my due’s got my degree and had been employed for 4 years; I felt I was ready to take the next step. Our corporate managers told me the same thing they loved me and couldn’t wait for me to take that next step. The day I was officially done with all my classes I officially applied for the job. Four days go bye and I get a phone call for the basic phone interview/ background check hurdles. At this point I was ecstatic about what was to come. The next day I get a phone call from a lady stating,” I am so sorry at this time we are not promoting internal employees for any locations.”  The feeling of devastation doesn’t describe how I felt, I was furious. The next day the VP of the company graces us with his presence and was polite to allow us to have a sit down conversation. I shared a story with him and asked him questions to help him understand where I was coming from.  After 45 min of us talking he was not confident in answering my questions and ended the conversation there. I left the company weeks later in search of a new position.

         I needed to fight and find a company that would take a shot on me and allow me to showcase my talents, and I eventually did. It is nowhere near what I would have been making if hired at Cheesecake Factory but I am gaining experience and building a resume that hopefully someday carries me to a very desired position.  We all may have similar stories; we were turned away or never even considered because we lack experiences that are vital to ones position. In football it’s much the same, coaches need experience so they can be trusted on to make the right calls. Coaches are much like Dr’s, they need to make decisions that are done on the fly and what makes them a good coach is that they make the best decisions. As a head coach you carry the biggest burden. All eyes are set upon you, players, coaches and fans. By all means players have to respect you as a coach and be disciplined as such. A coach is not a friend, a buddy, a pal he is your damn football coach end of story. Lets bring this into perspective. Doctors pay a lot of money for their education and have to pay their dues to become what they ultimately desire. A doctor is not hired half way through med school to perform life-threatening surgeries. A high school special teams coach is not called upon to call plays for the Denver Broncos. Our best example we all can relate to is Urban Meyer.

         Urban Meyer was not granted the head coaching position at Utah after spending 2 years on the sideline as a QB coach, Urban Meyer worked his A** off to become what he has now. Urban Meyer started as position coaches at OSU and Notre Damn for years gaining valuable experience before a school named BOWLING GREEN gave him a shot to be a head coach on the D1 level. Urban has what it takes to be great. I don’t think Brian Johnson does. Brian Johnson is essentially the kid who got pulled out of his medical residency years before he should have to call the shots. No doubt he had a good career at Utah, but I do remember UNLV I remember 4 interception games. Not all of it was storied and he has one of the best-coached defenses in the nation at that time to thank for it. Some have called me out saying, “What mythical experience does BJ need to be the OC.” It’s not mythical it’s real life coaching experience.  One needs it to become successful as a Coach. We don’t see big name programs like Alabama, USC, Florida, FSU, Arkansas, and Texas hire 24-year-old kids to call their offense. These programs have to perform they have to win that’s the bar over the decades that has been set. I feel that Utah is in the same boat now.

         The BJ decision has caused much disarray behind closed doors. Much of the offensive staff that left was influenced to seek to other positions because of this. Lets be real here, is Tim Davis going to take s*** from a 24 year old kid? Tim Davis was also told to just coach the exterior line. This is a guy who has won a national championship at USC with Norm Chow and coached years in the NFL and you’re going to hold his hand? Some Utah fans call out BYU for what they do claiming they drink the “blue Kool-Aid” and don’t know what they hell they are talking about. Well many of us Utah fans are doing the same thing.

         We are quick to defend Kyle and his actions and his decision he makes with his coaching staff. Kudos to Kyle for brining in such a KILLER staff last year, but just to lose them a year later? It is true we don’t have the luxury of PAC 12 money quite yet but it’s the PAC 12 it’s UTAH! We are known nation wide for our accomplishments in the classroom and on the field. I want Utah to succeed but with what we have on the offensive side doesn’t really give me much hope. Mark my words Kyle Whittingham will sink or swim in this decision. I hope that at the end of next season Brian Johnson PROVES ME WRONG! 

F1 2012 Jerez Testing:

YES it's back...kinda. The 2012 Formula 1 season is knocking at the door. All the testing in Jerez is just one big tease. The only great thing about these test sessions is we get to see most of the upcoming seasons cars. We  welcome in the radical redesigned racers this season due to safety regulations, and that ugly bump nose. Mclaren is the only team thus far to roll out their 2012 fighter with no bumped nose. All designs aside we look at what the importance of this testing is. For Ferrari and others it's all about collecting as much data as possible and press the car for reliability.  Perelli is also testing new tire compounds for the upcoming season. So please no one look to far into the lap times thus far. Ferrari has not had a great challenger since 2008 when Felipe Massa took the checkered flag in Brazil to come 1 point short of Lewis Hamilton for the drivers title. Ferrari did end up winning the constructors title. (their 16th). That being said this years Ferrari (F2012) has been in the works for over two years. I am expecting this car to challenge through out the season. This is simply a make or break year for those on the Ferrari pit wall. We will see how they act with their backs against the wall. Unfortunately we all have to be patient as we wait for the start of free practice 1 in the land down under to get a real sense of who will be the team to beat! 

Welcome!

Welcome Utah sports fans! This is my go on all things sport. My blog will consist of Utes, Jazz, RSL soccer, and motorsports. I was born and raised in SLC Utah. I have been a season ticket holder up on the Hill for 12 years. That really means nothing but I pay a lot of money to watch football. My family history at the U goes back for many decades. My great grandfather and my brother both played football for the Utes. All siblings and in-laws have alumni ties in with the U or work for the University. I am a great fan of Formula 1 racing. I have a great passion for Ferrari in many aspects. I am a business owner, chef by education, and apart of the Utah restaurant scene since the young age of 15. I am a newbie to all this but I hope I can put a good product to the blogging world.