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A university is not, primarily, a place in which to learn how to make a living; it is a place in which to learn how to be more fully a human being, how to draw upon one’s resources, how to discipline the mind and expand the imagination; how to make some sense out of the big world we will shortly be thrown into.

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Dec 14, 2025

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I've had a lot of friends in the business that got out earlier than normal. They tell me they got out too early and that I should make sure I've got all I want before I step aside. When I do get out, there are other things that I want to do with my life.
LaVell Edwards

Quote Author: LaVell Edwards

LaVell Edwards

LaVell Edwards

LaVell Edwards (born October 11, 1930 in Orem, Utah) is a former American football coach of Brigham Young University (BYU). In 1984, Edwards' BYU Cougars went 13-0 and won the national championship.

Edwards played football for Utah State University and earned a Masters degree at the University of Utah prior to coaching at BYU. While head football coach at BYU Edwards also earned a doctorate. He and his wife served an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York City during 2002-2003.

Other LaVell Edwards Quotes

Commenting on playoffs to determine a national champion: I'm not in favor of 15 games either. I think that's way too much football. The thing that I feel good about is that these guys hung together through 15 games and played hard every week. That's a marvelous tribute to the kids. We just hung in there today and kept playing. It's just been a special feeling all year long.

Those who have succeeded have also had the ability to overcome adversity, disappointment, and even tragedy in their lives.

How do we handle adversity? Adversity is going to be with us in everything that we do, almost in every facet of our lives—in our personal associations, in the mission field, in our chosen professions, in our families.

After announcing that the 2000 season would be his last before retirement: Last winter I made the decision to coach for only one more season. I have been wrestling with the timing of announcing that decision. After seeing the outstanding attitude and work ethic of this team, I came to the conclusion that it's best to get the announcement out of the way now so we can focus on the season and avoid the repeated distractions that come from questions about my retirement.

Commenting on the decisions of the Bowl Alliance regarding WAC teams: It's a step, no question. Obviously, it's not what any of us wanted, but it's at least a step. We can now say we're part of the Alliance. However, I hope it's not perceived that they bought us off and we're going to go away. It's not fair. It's not right; we still need to fight. We can't let them go away and hide. Other schools are taking a major share of the pot, and that's still a major sore point as far as I'm concerned. But at least this is a step, and better than what we had in the past.

After attending a banquet honoring the 1974 BYU team that won the Western AthleticConference and went to the Fiesta Bowl. It was the first of Edwards' 18 WAC champions and 21 bowl teams. That was the group of kids that totally changed the direction of my life and the direction of our football program. We started 0-3-1 and won seven or eight in a row. They were the first bowl team in school history. I hadn't really accomplished anything yet. To see all those guys reminded me where we've been. It was an emotional night.

Late in the third quarter the Cougars were behind 12-0. Duva had completed 5 out of 20 passes. Edwards looked at Gifford Nielsen. Giff had never done a thing, in practice or anywhere else, to give us confidence in him... .... the coach said later. He sent him into the game anyway. First play was a 19-yard completion. Second was a 6-yard run. He threw again on the third play to running back Dave Lowry who ran 37 yards for a touchdown.

Current condition of the BYU football program? I think it's in good shape. We've got some good young players. We've had two or three pretty good recruiting years. We lost some players, obviously, that hurt us, but you always have turnover in college through attrition (graduation, transfers). That's the nature of the game.

I suspect that these traits—desire, commitment, and good work habits—are important in all facets of our lives....

I honestly haven't thought about it much. When it comes time for me to retire, I don't think I'll know going into that season. I'll have to evaluate it at the end of each year.

I was asked this morning if it was frustrating to be 13-1 last year and not have more recognition and I said, 'Hey man, I'd take that every year. I'd take that kind of frustration and not worry about it one bit. It wasn't frustration, it was one of those great runs and I enjoyed it.'

Edwards commented as he signed an extension to his contract. We have good young players in the program and strong schedules in the coming years. The future looks bright for BYU football. I also want to get a number of projects off the ground before I retire.

Considering retirement? When that happens, I don't want that to be the story of whatever the season it is. I don't want to have to be talking about it all the time. My plan is when the time is up, it'll be time to hang it up. When that comes, it'll come. But right now, I don't have any clue as to when that'll be. It's been that way the last couple of years.... I've often felt if I ever get to a point where I don't want to go recruiting and can't get excited about it, then maybe it's time. That's a pretty good indication that's probably it. And I haven't reached that point at all yet.

When we have adversity we oftentimes tend to look around and think that we’re the Lone Ranger. We tend to believe that we’re the only one who has problems. And we always look around and see others who are more talented, taller, smarter, handsomer, or faster. I can assure you, everyone has problems—even football coaches. The ability we have to handle this adversity will determine the degree of success that we will have in life.

The ability we have to handle this adversity will determine the degree of success that we will have in life. To me, this is where the gospel can be the greatest of help to us. The power of the Holy Ghost is the greatest source of strength and comfort we can have in our lives. The Holy Ghost will not only help us in times of need, but will help us to gain a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, thereby preparing us for life.

How is your health? I feel pretty good, and I'm very anxious to get the season going. I think we have a chance to have a good football team. I don't have any health problems. I don't know how any of the stuff gets started.... My health is very good.

Edwards recalled that he once planned to coach until he was 60 as he signed an extension to his contract. I was about 62 before I ever remembered that's what I had set up.... Now I'm already making plans for next year and recruiting. That's the reason for this. I just feel good right now.

In my career I have had many wonderful things happen to me, many more than I ever dreamed would ever happen. But I would like for you young brethren especially to know that all that has happened to me in my chosen profession is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the truly important things in my life. The testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I have, along with my wife and my family, are my most important possessions.

Edwards said the greatest moment of his career was winning the national championship. The lowest moment (of my career) happens every time we lose to Utah.

Edwards commented as he signed an extension to his contract. They had changed coaches every three or four years before my getting the head job. It was just going to be a matter of when I got fired. There were a lot of people that felt that.

Milestones you'd like to reach before retiring? Not really. Because when I began it was never to reach 100 games or reach 200 or to get high on the all-time list or whatever else. Those things are by-products. I want to win another championship, beginning with the conference championship. The thing that was disappointing to me last year was the fact that we did not win the conference championship. I felt like we just let that game (against Air Force in Las Vegas) get away from us.

He will return with a greater understanding of himself, greater leadership capabilities, better work habits, and a better knowledge of what it takes to be successful. It really depends on the young man’s desire, commitment, work habits, and how important it is to him when he returns.

It has been our experience that if a young man decides to go on a mission, he can not only play well when he returns, he will often play better. If an athlete could play well before he went on a mission, he will definitely play well when he returns; and, if an athlete could not play well before his mission, he probably won’t play well when he returns. However, his chances of playing well are perhaps better if he goes because he will return with ... better work habits, and a better knowledge of what it takes to be successful.

What keeps you motivated? The challenge of putting all the elements of a team together and seeing how you do and what you become is the thing that I still enjoy. I also enjoy the associations and relationships with the players and other coaches — to be in the arena, so to speak. I still enjoy that. I'm also at the point, though, that if we're not doing well — it's tough enough as it is — that I'm not going to be hanging on just to be hanging on. Because it's not anything I need from an ego standpoint or anything else. I just thoroughly enjoy what I'm doing.

Prior to the Washington-BYU game in 1997: I'm not going to say we're lousy, because we're not. I'm not going to say we're great, because I don't know yet.

Commenting on BYU moving to the Pacific-10 Conference: It's something we would have to look at, no question, but there has been no indication that any of them in the Pac-10 are interested in BYU. The question we would have to ask ourselves is, where we've had nice success, would it be worth giving that up to, maybe, go into a league that we might struggle for awhile before getting the program where we could compete with them. It took Arizona State and Arizona a long time. Myself, I don't have any problems staying in the WAC. I like it; we've had success. Winning 14 games last year, I don't think that happens if we were in a bigger league. Fortunately or unfortunately, there's going to be someone other than me who's going to make that decision down the line.

I feel that the progress I have made as a coach, as well as a person, is a direct result of the growth that I have made through my Church callings. I had the opportunity to serve as a bishop in a campus ward while I was still an assistant coach. When I was appointed head football coach in 1972, I decided to approach my role as a coach much the same as I did as a bishop, delegating responsibility to my assistants, putting responsibility on the players for self-improvement in all aspects of their lives, and using personal interviews with players to try to give positive reinforcement and encouragement so that they might do their very best and reach their full potential, both on and off the field.

BYU takes on defending national champion Florida State in the Pigskin Classic in Jacksonville, Fla., eight days after announcing that the 2000 season would be his last before retirement: It's exciting. Thinking back to when I first came here, to when we were playing games where the Richards P.E. Building is, with the likes of Western Michigan — who beat us — and other teams like that. Now after all these years we're playing teams like Florida State.

We tend to look at successful athletes and make them almost bigger than life.... I have seen many young men who have achieved greatness. I have also seen those who have come up a little short of their potential. I do know that those who succeed have been able to ... recognize within themselves the potential to do something well and then work hard to prepare themselves for that eventual opportunity. Others wait for the opportunity to come and then start to work, thus coming up a little short.

I can honestly say that two weeks after the national championship year, I’d forgotten about it and started laying the groundwork for spring practice. And so every year, that’s been the thing that’s motivated me....

I told Pattie that last night I dreamt that we had a press conference and nobody showed up. I am overwhelmed that so many of you are here.

Coming out of BYU’s football spring, 1999, practice: We might have a chance to be pretty good.

Looking at the championship-winning quarterbacks, Edwards remembered their particular talents: Gary Sheide: The image of Joe Namath. He even had Joe's number. Had just a great feel and touch for the game. A great athlete who could play all the sports. He was more of a streak guy than any of them. He could miss two or three passes and then get hot and hit ten straight. He was the one who got it all started.

Looking at the championship-winning quarterbacks, Edwards remembered their particular talents: Gifford Nielsen: He was never a very good practice player. He couldn't run, he didn't have a great arm, he was kind of gangly, but he was sharp as a whip. Such a competitor. As good as we ever had. He had the intangibles that certain leaders have. A presence, an awareness. They're best under pressure. Like Mel Tillis, he talks and he stutters, but when he sings it's completely different. It was like that with Giff. On the field, something just clicked.

Looking at the championship-winning quarterbacks, Edwards remembered their particular talents: Jim McMahon: A great natural leader. Great ability. Great presence. For a guy who was supposed to be blind in one eye, he had as much vision as anyone I've ever seen. He'd know instinctively where he should turn and where he should throw the ball. He was never a problem on the field. He was kind of cocky, but that didn't bother me. He had such a quick delivery and such a natural ability. I told Chicago he'd win them a Super Bowl.

Looking at the championship-winning quarterbacks, Edwards remembered their particular talents: Marc Wilson: He probably had more grace and form and style than anybody I've seen who's 6'5'. He played like he was 6'1'. A very fluid athlete. He had great speed. Look at the pictures of him. Everything's symmetric. His back is straight, his knees are bent, his feet are in the right direction. Just a terrific athlete. And highly intelligent. He wasn't a real take charge guy. He had a kind of high pitched voice, and that sort of compounded his image problem. But he was much more competitive and tougher than you thought. In his quiet way he'd always get it done.

Looking at the championship-winning quarterbacks, Edwards remembered their particular talents: Robbie Bosco: One of my all time favorite people. He never changed from the day he came here to the day he left. He's a very happy guy, laid back, casual, kind of self-effacing. Yet look at that Michigan game. That was one of the guttiest performances in the history of anything. All those games during the championship season when we had to come from behind to win. He could reach back and kind whatever he needed to win. He could run, he could throw, the other players wanted to come through for him. He did it all.

Looking at the championship-winning quarterbacks, Edwards remembered their particular talents: Steve Young: Here's a guy that is really a talent. He's the best athlete we ever had. He could run, he developed into a good thrower. He's smart. He's intense. He could make it in the movies. Really, he's got it all. He was coachable, but he had his own ideas. He never let up, not even in practice. I'd take Steve Young every year.

We have reached the point where we can lose a game or two and not drop out of sight in the rankings. I've been asked if it bothers me that BYU hasn't received the recognition it deserves. Well, BYU's gotten a lot of recognition over the years; I've never felt slighted. I honestly believed that we didn't deserve to be ranked any higher last year.

Reminiscing, with obvious emotion, on his long career: It has turned out a whole lot better than I ever, ever, ever dreamed.

Reminiscing, with obvious emotion, on his long career: It’s like the size of the crowd here today. It always surprises me. But I do appreciate it.

Speaking as he unintentionally launched his farewell tour by announcing that the 2000 season would be his last before retirement: Honestly, I had never, ever in my wildest dreams believed I would ever do this. All I wanted to do was to play it out and when it was time to go, hang it up, take off and sail into the sunset somewhere.

The decision ... was made some time ago, in fact, last January. Very honestly, I had never, ever, in my wildest dreams believed that I would ever do this. All I wanted to do was just play it out and when it was time to go, hang it up, take off and sail into the sunset somewhere.

Reminiscing: No one knows ... until you live it, to be there, to tee it up each week, to get yourself ready, the players and whatever else.... I think it’s a very, very difficult, tough and demanding job. And to be able to, particularly, stay at the level of expertise that we have over the years. Along with the fact that we have made football a presence at BYU. I think those are the things that are about as satisfying as anything that has happened. Then, of course, the players.... I think the thing that will be the most difficult is leaving the relationships and the involvement.

My sons served excellent missions, and ... returned to participate in college athletics.... In their letters home, and even now that they have been back for some time, they frequently mention that the experiences in the mission field were the choicest and most gratifying of their lives. You young [men], begin to prepare yourselves now for this marvelous experience.

I've had a lot of friends in the business that got out earlier than normal. They tell me they got out too early and that I should make sure I've got all I want before I step aside. When I do get out, there are other things that I want to do with my life.

At some point in time it will be right for me to step aside. That may be after this year, but that may be after two or three more years.

Steve Young is one of the most gifted young men that I have ever known. He is fast, strong, big, handsome, … and rich. It is easy for us to look at Steve and say, 'With all those attributes, you ought to be great.' However, it is more than his physical at

And I want you to know ... that I have had the greatest support from President Bateman. I could coach as long as I want to and never felt any pressure to reach a decision.

The main reason for doing it now ... had more to do with the players. This is a great group. This particular group has really worked hard to prepare themselves. And we have a chance to have a good football team.

I just feel that you reach a point when its time to move on.

After the Cougars' 19-15 Cotton Bowl victory over Kansas State We're the only team in NCAA history to win 14 games in a season. It was just a great experience and I can't say enough about it.... People don't know how difficult it is to get up for 15 games.

What motivates me is not one more championship, it is the challenge each year. I have just thoroughly enjoyed starting in spring with a new team and trying to put all the elements together to make a team.

Potential does not always ensure success. ... The greatest players have not always been the most endowed. In athletics, we often hear the phrase, 'He has the will to win.' I think this is wrong.... We can have the greatest will to do well. But unless we have prepared, it is of little use. Really, it should be the 'will to prepare.' Those who succeed have this will, whether it be in athletics, whether it be in school, whether it be in their chosen vocation, whether it be on a mission, or in almost any other phase of their life.

Edwards said he would like to be remembered for the impact he has had on the lives of his players. In this business we are judged by wins and losses in the media. I don't discount that, but I've never concerned myself much with that ... except that it helps me stay employed.

The will to prepare is more important than the will to win.

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