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Show THE COACHES 1 8 9 2 - 1 9 9 2 THE COACHES RON McBRIDE Head Coach Year: 3rd Record: 11-12 Ron McBride made plenty of stops on his way to the head coaching post at Utah. But, upon accepting the Ute job in December of 1989, the longtime assistant coach pulled out all the stops. To wit, he put a quick halt to Utah's reputation as a defensive pushover. He stopped a four-year slide that threatened to land the Utes at the bottom of the Western Athletic Conference. He pulled the plug on an unbalanced offensive scheme and revived Utah's ground game. He ended 10 years of sub-.500 Ute road woes by producing back-to-back 3-3 road records. Back at home, McBride made Utah's Rice Stadium a regular October stop for bowl scouts last season. Best yet, it's merely a start for the former 25-year assistant coach. After a first-year mark of 4-7, McBride's 1991 Utes went 7-5 and flirted with a bowl bid until early November. Utah's fourth-place WAC finish-its best in six years-served notice that Utah has begun its move up the league ladder. And, McBride's speedy, hard-hitting defense certainly gave opponents a start. McBride, who inherited the nation's worst defense (106th among NCAA Division I teams), helped propel his 1991 Utes to the top of the WAC (65th nationally) in total defense. His widely acknowledged motivational skills helped spur four of his players to first-team all-WAC honors-the most Utes tabbed since 1984. Don't expect McBride to stop now. When he accepted the offer to become Utah's 15th head football coach, he boldly promised a future fraught with physical play, winning records, bowl invitations and WAC championships. He got a leg up on the list quickly-fulfilling the first two pledges in as many years. Not a bad start, but certainly not a stopping point for McBride. Here's a closer look at the man who will lead Utah full speed ahead into its second century of football. McBride Highlights at the U.: 1991 Utes ranked first in WAC in total defense, second in passing defense and third in both scoring defense and turnover margin ... Improved defense 41 places nationally (from 106th, last in nation prior to McBride, to 65th in 1991)... 7-5 record in 1991 is best Ute mark in 6 years ... Four first-team all-WAC picks: Anthony Davis (1990-91), Bryan Rowley ('91), Jimmy Bellamy ('91), Lavon Edwards ('91) ... Eight Academic all-WAC picks in 1991 ... 35-29 upset win at Minnesota in second game of head coaching career ... 2-1 ledger against Pac-10 last year; missed 3-0 mark by 1 touchdown (lost at Arizona State, 21-15) ... Utah's first win over Wyoming in Laramie since 1972 (5742, last October). McBride Philosophy: Known as a players' coach, McBride coined the acronym MAFU while at Arizona to explain his philosophy. MAFU stands for mental toughness, aggressiveness, fanatical effort and unity. Assistant Coaching Highlights: At Arizona (assistant head coach, offensive line coach, 1987-89): Second in the Pac-10 ... Copper Bowl ... Glenn Parker and Joe Tofflemire both gained second-team America honors ... Parker, an offensive tackle, was also first-team all-Pac-10, while four-time all-conference pick Tofflemire won the Morris Award (awarded to the top lineman in the Pac-10) and was a second-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks ... Wildcats led Pac-10 in rushing all three years. At Utah (offensive line coach, 1985-86; offensive coordinator, 1977-82): Seven all-WAC offensive linemen in eight total years as U. assistant ... Three players (Dean Miraldi, Wayne Jones and Dave Cullity) advanced to the NFL ... During McBride's stint as offensive coordinator, Utah went 35-30-1. At Wisconsin (offensive line coach, 1983-84): Badgers were 14-8-1 ... 1984 Hall of Fame Bowl ... Coached Paul Gruber (first lineman taken in the 1985 NFL draft) and Jeff Dellanbach (Most Valuable Lineman in the Big Ten and a second-team All-American). A Winning Mark: In 26 years of college football, which also included stints at Cal State- Long Beach, Cal-Riverside, Gavilan Junior College and San Jose State, the 52-year-old South Gate, Calif, native has been involved in 23 winning seasons. Thirty of his proteges have advanced to the professional ranks. McBride's Playing Careen An all-city football and baseball standout at Los Angeles' South Gate High from 1954-57, McBride went on to become team captain at San Jose State, where he played football from 1959- 62. Following his days as a Spartan linebacker, McBride played professional football with San Jose of the USA League, where he was a linebacker and defensive coordinator. McBride's Coaching Synopsis: 1990- present. head coach, Utah; 1987-89, assistant head coach/offensive line, Arizona; 1985-86, offensive line, Utah; 1983-84, offensive line, Wisconsin; 1977-82, offensive coordinator, Utah; 1974-76, offensive coordinator, Cal State-Long Beach; 1972-73, offensive coordinator, Cal-Riverside; 1969-71, offensive coordinator/defensive line (one year), Gavilan Junior College; 1966-68, defensive coordinator, Piedmont Hills High School (San Jose); 1965, freshman coach/defensive coordinator/ linebackers, San Jose State. Personal: A 1964 San Jose State graduate, McBride earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education. He was born on Oct. 14, 1939. McBride and his wife Vicky are parents of four children-Danny (33), Mike (31), Jill (28) and Kelly (25). 14 THE COACHES What They Say About Ron PAUL GRUBER, NFL Lineman for Tampa Bay "Ron McBride has got a great love for the game and for his players. He is a great motivator and he taught me a lot fundamentally. Maybe the most special thing about Ron is the human factor. I think it's evident how much his players care about him by how many remain in close touch with him." -Gruber played for McBride at Wisconsin and was the first offensive lineman taken in the 1988 NFL draft. PAT HILL, Cleveland Browns' Special Assistant to the Head Coach "Next to my father, Ron McBride has probably been the most influential man in my life. He's the one who made me want to be a coach. I owe a lot of what I am today to Ron McBride." -Hill played for McBride at UC-Riverside and later coached with him at Utah for four years. DAVE CULLITY, Financial Consultant for Merrill Lynch "Ron McBride had a huge impact on my life. Even today, I remember things he would say. The major thing I remember is the work ethic he taught me. His overall knowledge and love of the game of football commands respect and a winning attitude from his players and coaches. I truly believe that Ron McBride is Utah football." -Cullity played for McBride at Utah and went on to a career in the NFL with Cleveland and San Francisco. He played in the 1989 Super Bowl. STEVE FOLSOM, Owner of Travel Agency/Special Events Company "Mac is the kind of guy whose office door is always open. He's your friend, but when you're on the field, you have respect for him and want to win for him. As a coach, he's a great motivator and can get the most out of his players. He gets guys really fired up. One thing he does that many coaches don't is pay attention to fundamentals." -Folsom played for McBride at Utah and went on to an NFL career with Philadelphia, New York and Dallas. He also played in the USFL. 15 THE COACHES RICK RASNICK Offensive Coordinator 2nd Year Last fall, his first test as a Ute assistant coach, Rick Rasnick merely rescued a Ute running game fallen on hard times, tutored one of the Western Athletic Conference's finest running back tandems (sophomores Keith Williams and Charlie Brown), saw his backs set a single-game rushing record (478 yards) against New Mexico and helped reinstate Utah as an offensive threat. As Utah's assistant head coach for the offense and running back coach, Rasnick improved Utah's ground game dramatically. Led by second-team all-WAC tailback Williams' 1,097 net yards, Utah's rushing totals jumped to 165.7 yards per game-nearly double the production of the preceding year. Rasnick, who also cast a final vote on the overall offensive package, helped Utah to a No. 25 national ranking in passing offense and a No. 28 total offense ranking. In his second year at the U., Rasnick, 32, will dispense his considerable offensive knowledge from the position of offensive coordinator- a title he assumed in the off-season. It's a familiar role for Rasnick, the former offensive coordinator for five-time Big West champion San Jose State. Rasnick, who at age 27 became the youngest offensive coordinator in Division I football back in 1987, quickly established a reputation for offensive fireworks. In his first year as offensive coordinator at SJS, his unit led the nation in passing offense. Three times, all five of his offensive linemen were named to the all-Big West team in a single year. Rasnick, who helped lead San Jose State to four California Bowls, was named the Big West Conference's Top Offensive Assistant in 1990 by The Sporting News. A member of the Spartan coaching staff since 1981, he was offensive line coach for the nation's total offense leader in 1986. A former starting center at SJS (1979-80), Rasnick co-captained the 1980 squad. He joined the Spartan staff as a graduate assistant with the offensive line in 1981, moving into the position of offensive line coach in 1982. He spent his final four years as offensive coordinator. Rasnick served as interim head coach at SJS during the spring of 1990. Rasnick graduated from San Jose State in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He earned a master's degree in the same field from St. Mary's in 1985. He and his wife Karen have a baby son, Blair. Rasnick Report: Coaching Synopsis: 1992, offensive coordinator, Utah; 1991, assistant head coach lor offense/ running backs, Utah; 1987-90, offensive coordinator, San Jose State; Spring 1990, interim head coach, San Jose State; 1982-86, offensive line, San Jose State; 1981, graduate assistant offensive line, San Jose State; Education: 1985, master's degree in physical education, St. Mary's; 1982, bachelor's degree in physical education, San Jose State; Born: Sept. 15, 1959. W FRED WHITTINGHAM Defensive Coordinator 1st Year Fred Whittingham, a 20-year veteran of collegiate and professional coaching, will undertake his first season as Utah's defensive coordinator this fall. Despite his newness to the program, he is no stranger to the Ute defensive package. In a previous stint as linebacker coach for the Los Angeles Rams, Whittingham coordinated the team's nickel package-the same defense utilized by the Utes. Whittingham took the Utah position after nearly a decade with the Rams. Beginning in 1982, he served in a variety of capacities at L.A. He began as coach of the special teams and tight ends. The next year, Whittingham was given responsibility of the linebackers. Most recently, he spent the 1991 season as a scout for the Rams. In addition to his familiarity with the Ute defensive scheme, he knows the makeup of the Western Athletic Conference. Whittingham spent the 1973-81 seasons on the staff at Brigham Young. He coached the Cougar linebackers from 1973-77. In 1978, he was promoted to defensive coordinator-a position he would hold until moving on to the Rams in 1982. During his four years at the helm of the Y. defense, Whittingham's clubs never finished lower than third in the WAC in total defense. His defense led the conference in 1979. Prior to his success at BYU, he coached for a year (1972) at Alhambra High School in Alhambra, Calif. Whittingham's defensive credentials include more than his coaching file. He played football at BYU in 1959 and concluded his collegiate career at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (1960-62), where he was an all-Coast tight end and defensive end. He then embarked on a nine-year professional career (1963-71), during which time he played linebacker for the Rams, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints. In 1968, while playing for the Saints, Whittingham was named second-team all-East and was chosen as NFL player of the week once. The Warwick, R.l. native and his wife Nancy have four sons- Kyle, Cary, Fred Jr. and Brady-and a daughter, Julie. The three oldest boys all played football at BYU. Whittingham Ways: Coaching Synopsis; 1992, defensive coordinator, Utah; 1991, scout, LA Rams; 1983- 90, linebackers, LA. Rams; 1982, special teams/tight ends, L.A, Rams; 1978-81, defensive coordinator, Brigham Young; 1973-77, linebackers, Brigham Young; 1972, head coach, Alhambra High School (Calif.). Education: 1965, master's degree in education, Cal Poly-SLO; 1963, bachelor's degree in physical education, Cal Poly-SLO. Bora: Feb. 4,1941. DAN HENSON Quarterbacks/ Passing Game 3rd Year In his third year as a Ute assistant, Dan Henson will concentrate his coaching expertise on the quarterbacks and passing game. 16 THE COACHES Third year associate head coach Sam Papain runs the defensive line. Henson, who helped restore Utah's passing offense to a position of national prominence last year, will benefit from a stable full of talented quarterbacks (including returning starter Frank Dolce) and a veteran offensive line. Targeting his responsibilities to Utah's passing game should maximize Henson's well documented ability to air out an offense. Prior to joining the U. staff, Henson spent three years coaching the San Jose State quarterbacks and receivers. In 1987, he directed the nation's most potent passing attack and coached an All-America quarterback in Mike Perez. Henson's quarterback and receiving teams combined to finish 12th on the nation's passing leader board in 1988 and '89. He coached the outside linebackers his first two years at San Jose State. Henson also served as recruiting coordinator at SJS. Unlike the offensive stability he enjoyed with the Spartans, Henson arrived to an unsettled quarterback situation and an inexperienced offensive line at Utah, three years ago. After an up-and-down inaugural season, Henson's 1991 air show helped Utah fly to its best record in six years. Henson's rise to his current job at Utah took a circuitous route. The Flint, Mich, native began his career as an assistant at Swartz Creek High (Mich.) in 1974. He spent the next three years at Sebring High (Fla.), where he was assistant football and head basketball coach. The Sebring grid team won three league titles. Christian High in San Diego was Henson's next stop; he would spend five years there as head football coach and athletic director. The well-travelled prep coach steered Christian to a 10-0 record and the CIF championship in 1978. In 1982, the collegiate ranks came calling and Henson accepted a position as defensive backs coach at Southwestern Junior College. Southwestern posted a 10-1 record and won the league title and a bowl game in '82. In 1983, Henson left for San Diego, where he coached the Toreros' quarterbacks and receivers. The next year found Henson back in Michigan, as linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator for Hope College. Hope finished 9-0 in 1984 and was ranked 10th among NCAA Division III schools. In 1985, he began his five-year stint at San Jose State. Henson's own collegiate playing career took place at Central Michigan, where he played defensive back. He graduated from Central Michigan in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in education. In 1980, he tacked on a master's degree in education from Azusa Pacific. Henson and his wife Carol have two children: Drew, 12, and Brittany, 9. Henson's History: Coaching Synopsis: 1992, quarterbacks/passing game, Utah; 1990-91, offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks, Utah; 1987-89, quarterback/ receivers, San Jose State; 1985- 86, linebackers, San Jose State; 1984, linebackers/recruiting coordinator, Hope College; 1983, quarterbacks/receivers, San Diego; 1982, defensive backs, Southwestern JC; 1978-82, head coach/athletic director, Christian High School (San Diego); 1975-78, assistant coach, Sebring High (Fla,); 1974, assistant coach, Swartz Creek High (Mich). Education: 1980, master's of education degree, Azusa Pacific; 1975, bachelor's degree in education, Central Michigan. Born: Aug. 18,1952. SAM PAPALII Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line 3rd Year In just two years as associate head coach and overseer of the defensive line, Sam Papalii (pronounced pop-uh-lee-ee) has helped inspire one of the biggest turnarounds in Ute football history. When Papalii followed head coach Ron McBride from Arizona to Utah, the Utes were the nation's worst defensive team. Thanks, in part, to huge strides by Papalii's revamped defensive line, the Utes shot to the top of the WAC's defensive stats in just two years. Papalii's line terrorized opposing quarterbacks- with first-team all-WAC defensive end Jimmy Bellamy contributing 15 sacks- best in the conference. Utah's 54 total sacks for 329 yards also led the WAC. Forty of those sacks were by Papalii's defensive linemen. Papalii, who coached Bellamy to second- team all-WAC honors in 1990, tutored two other second-team picks in '91, in Keith Embray and Dave Chaytors. Papalii saw similar success onjhe other side of the line while an assistant at Arizona. The first native Samoan ever to coach in the Pac-10, Papalii spent three years coaching the Wildcat running backs. His backs led the conference in rushing each of those years (1987-89). Arizona's ground game, led by all- Pac-10 pick David Eldridge, averaged 240.9 yards per game in 1989. In 1988, seven 'Cat backs gained 100 yards or more, and Art Greathouse was a second-team all-league selection. Eight of Papalii's 1987 offensive backs produced 100-yard games. The five years previous to his Arizona appointment found Papalii at Hawaii, where he was instrumental in the. Rainbows' worldwide recruiting success. His position as recruiting coordinator (1983) was the first full-time major college coaching position ever held by a Samoan. After assisting with the 'Bow defensive line for two years, he took over the running back chores. At Hawaii, Papalii coached All-American Al Noga, now with the Minnesota Vikings, and Niko Noga, currently on the Detroit Lions roster. Papalii began his coaching career at De Anza Junior College, where he coached the running backs and was out-of-state recruiting coordinator for three years (1980-82). Papalii's ties with De Anza began as an undergraduate, when he was an all-conference running back. He went from there to San Jose State, where he played fullback from 1977-78 and helped the Spartans win a PCAA title. His football ties extend back to Honolulu's St. Louis High, where he starred as a linebacker from 1972-74 and led his team to a league championship. 17 THE COACHES He received an AA degree from De Anza JC in 1977 and a bachelor's degree in political science from San Jose State in 1979. He is currently pursuing a master's in sociology at Utah. Born in Faganeanea, American Samoa, Papalii was raised in Honolulu. He is married to Candis Kawehiwehi Kuhns and they have two sons-Tai and Max. Papalii Points: Coaching Synopsis: 1990-preseat, associate head coach/ defensive line, Utah; 1987-89, running backs, Arizona; 1986, running backs/ recruiting coordinator, Hawaii; 1983- 85, defensive line assistant/recruiting coordinator, Hawaii; 1980-82, running backs/recruiting coordinator, De Anza JC; Education: 1979, bachelor's degree in political science, San Jose State; 1977, AA degree, De Anza JC; Born: Nov. 17,1955. SEAN MCNABB Running Backs/ Special Teams 16th year Some things never change. Like a Utah football staff with Sean McNabb. McNabb, dean of the Ute football staff, is in his 16th year with the program. Although four head coaches have come and three have gone at the U. during his tenure, McNabb survived each staff upheaval. Count versatility and success as the keys behind his lengthy stay. He'll put the former to use this fall, when he takes charge of the Ute running backs, after seven years of coaching the tight ends. He'll also use the latter in '92, by retaining his special teams responsibilities-an area where he has enjoyed considerable success. Last year's Ute special teams blocked a total of six kicks. In 1990, they blocked three field goals in their first three games; one of which led to a 91-yard game-winning touchdown return as time expired against Minnesota. They blocked another two later in the season. Utah's return game has also benefitted from McNabb's expertise. LaVon Edwards, who led the WAC in punt returns in 1988, completed his career as Utah's all-time punt return leader. McNabb coached a pair of NCAA kickoff return leaders in Carl Monroe and Errol Tucker. As for the kicking game, Chris Yergensen booted his way into the Ute books with a 54-yard field goal (third best ever) last fall. Other kickers to benefit from McNabb's expertise include school record-holders Andre Guardi, Scott Lieber and Wayne Lammle. McNabb's switch from tight ends to running backs should prove fruitful for the U. offense. During a previous eight-year stint as running backs coach (1977-84), McNabb instructed some of the biggest names in Utah rushing history, including school (and/or WAC) record-holders Tony Lindsay, Del 'Popcorn' Rodgers, Carl Monroe and Eddie Johnson. In fact, of all the Ute running backs to gain 100 or more yards in a game prior to 1985, over half were coached by McNabb. He began his coaching career in 1972 as an assistant to former Ute football coach Wayne Howard at UC-Riverside. He would clock 10 years as Howard's assistant-following him to Cal State-Long Beach, where he spent three years as an assistant-and then journeying with Howard to Salt Lake. Born in Maryland, McNabb spent most of his youth in Southern California. After graduating from Carlsbad High School in 1968, he enrolled at Notre Dame, where he spent two years. He then transferred to UC-Riverside, where he played both offensive and defensive line for two years. Upon graduating with honors from UCR with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1972, McNabb embarked upon his coaching career. In an age of specialization, McNabb has enjoyed the opportunity to either play or coach every position on the field, except the secondary. Considered an expert on the kicking game, he is frequently consulted in that area. McNabb Minutes: Coaching Synopsis: 1992, running backs/special teams, Utah; 1985-1991, tight ends/special teams, Utah; 1977-84, running backs/ special teams, Utah; 1974-76, assistant coach, Cal State-Long Beach; 1972-73, assistant coach, UC-Riverside; Education: 1972, bachelor's degree in political science, UC-Riverside. Bora: Aug. 17,1950. 18 FRED GRAVES I Wide Receivers ^ H F m%%. 11th Year To find a reason behind Utah's longstanding success at the receiving position, one need look no further than 11th-year assistant coach Fred Graves. Graves, the primary figure behind the recruitment and development of Utah's receiving cast, has had a hand in the success of Utah's most noted wideouts. Ute record holders like Carl Harry, who led the WAC in receptions in 1988, and 1992 first-team all-WAC, second-team The Sporting News All-America wideout Bryan Rowley, are two recent beneficiaries of Graves' expertise. Graves resumed his responsibilities with the receivers last year, after a season as running backs' coach. In his one year sabbatical from the receivers, Graves helped then first-year head coach Ron McBride move away from a predominantly passing offense to a pass-run mix. The framework Graves implemented in the 1990 backfield helped set the tone for last year's 166 yard-per- game rushing unit-Utah's best since 1984. Graves has been a part of numerous success stories in his 17 years as a collegiate coach (which includes stints at New Mexico State, Western Illinois and Northeast Missouri). In 10 years as receivers coach, Graves helped Utah to numerous NCAA offense records. Joining Harry and Rowley on the list of Graves' products are the likes of U. record holder Loren Richey, who went on to sign an NFL contract with the Los Angeles Rams; Lloyd Henry (Northeast Missouri State) Miami Dolphins; Jerry Holloway (Western Illinois) Denver Broncos; Bobby Humphery (New Mexico State) Los Angeles Rams; Steve Cox (Utah) Toronto; Andy Parker (Utah) Los Angeles Raiders and Ray Elgaard (Utah) Saskatchewan. Graves' contributions to the Ute program extend beyond the realm of coaching. As an undergraduate, he played halfback and split end for the Utes from 1968-71. He started at halfback in 1969 and 1970, and moved to split end in 1971. His senior year, he led the team in receptions, with 45. Upon gradua- THE COACHES tion, Graves played part of a season with the Chicago Bears of the NFL, and also spent time with the California Sun of the World Football League. Graves began his coaching career at his prep alma mater, Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles. In 1975, he trekked to Northeast Missouri, where he coached for two seasons. He then spent two years at Western Illinois, before making New Mexico State his next stop (1979). Graves was an assistant Aggie coach for three years, where he also recruited Fredd Young, an all-pro linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts and Leo Barker a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals. Graves graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from Utah in 1971. Graves' Guide: Coaching Synopsis: 1991-present, wide receivers, Utah; 1990, running backs, Utah; 1982-1989, wide receivers, Utah; 197M1, tight ends/wide receivers, New Mexico State; 1977-78, tight ends/wide receivers, Western Illinois; 1975-76, tight ends/wide receivers, Northeast Missouri; 1974, head coach, Verbum Dei High School (Calif.); Education; 1971, bachelor's degree in business, Utah; Born: Mar. 2,1950. TIM DAVIS Offensive Line 3rd Year The line held in Tim Davis' second year as a Ute assistant coach and, with every starter back and another fine recruiting year, Davis will showcase an even sturdier product this fall. Davis, who was greeted with a notoriously porous offensive line in 1990, has put his line in position to become a Ute forte in 1992. Last year's offensive line allowed fewer than half the number of quarterback sacks that Utah inflicted upon its opponents. And Davis' blockers helped the Ute ground game produce its most yardage in seven years. Two Ute assistant coaches played their college ball at Utah (receivers' coach Fred Graves and offensive line coach Tim Davis). Graves has been a Ute assistant for 10 years, while Davis is in his third year on the staff. The dean of the Ute coaching crew is Sean McNabb, who is in his 16th year. Davis, a former Ute offensive tackle, rejoined his alma mater after a year as offensive line coach at Idaho State. He started for the Utes from 1978-80. Before hooking back up with the Utes, Davis made coaching detours at Wisconsin, Arizona, Walla Walla Community College and Idaho State. He began his coaching career in 1981 as a student assistant offensive line coach with the Utes. The following year, he coached the tight ends and assisted with the U. special teams. In 1983, Davis went to Wisconsin, where he remained for four years. He performed a variety of coaching duties with the Badgers-working with the offensive line, tight ends, special teams and scouting. The 1984 Wisconsin team was 7-4 and went to the Hall of Fame Bowl. In 1987, Davis moved on to Arizona, where he assisted with the Wildcat offensive line and special teams. He also handled scouting and academics. Walla Walla Community College and a position as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach called next. Davis spent the 1988 season at Walla Walla, helping the Warriors to a 64 record and a Centennial Bowl berth. In addition to his coaching experience, Davis made a name for himself on the offensive line as a player. The Castro Valley, Calif, native was a two-year starter at offensive and defensive tackle for Castro High. He then enrolled in Chabot College, where he started on the offensive line for two years before signing with the Utes. At Utah, Davis was the team's Most Inspirational Player in 1980. A brief professional career with the Canadian League Hamilton Tigers (1981) and the USFL Los Angeles Express (1983) followed. A 1982 graduate of Utah, Davis earned a bachelor's degree in physical education. He received a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Wisconsin in 1986. He is married to the former Janice Price. Davis Data: Coaching Synopsis: 1990- present, offensive line, Utah; 1989, offensive line, Idaho State; 1988, offensive coordinator/offensive line, Walla Walla CC; 1987, offensive line/special teams/scouting, Arizona; 1983-86, offensive tine/tight ends/special teams/ scouting, Wisconsin; 1981-82, tight ends/special teams student assistant coach, Utah; Education: 1986, master's in curriculum and instruction, Wisconsin; 1982, bachelor's degree in physical education, Utah; Born: June 17,1958. WAYNE 'JUGI' HOGUE Secondary , 3rd Year In his second year back on the Ute staff, after an eight-year foray into the world of private business, Wayne 'Jugi' Hogue inspired a secondary that was second to none in the Western Athletic Conference. Hogue, a driving force behind Utah's nickel package, produced a first-team all-WAC defensive back in LaVon Edwards, a second-team all-WAC choice in Reggie Alston and a pair of honorable mention all-league picks in Sharrieff Shah and Mark Swanson last year. Shah was named WAC and Sports Illustrated player of the week after leading Utah to victory over Oregon State. Hogue's backs grabbed 15-of-17 Ute interceptions in 1991, with Edwards recording a team-best five picks-second in the WAC. Three of Utah's top four tacklers played under Hogue's guidance, with Alston rating first on the team and third in the WAC, with 139 total tackles. The Ute secondary, a big part of Utah's recent defensive resurgence, ranked second in the WAC in pass defense. Given Hogue's history, the backfield's success since his return to the staff comes as no surprise. During his tenure with Ute football in the late '70s, he coached a secondary which ranked among the Western Ath- 19 THE COACHES letic Conference leaders in pass defense. Hogue developed such outstanding players as Jeff Griffin, who spent several seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals, and Tony Reed, a first-team all-WAC choice in 1981. Hogue came to Utah from Long Beach State, where he coached the defensive backs from 1974-76. His Long Beach State teams earned national rankings of ninth and 16th in total defense. He took the post with the '49ers after four years as defensive backs' coach at De Anza Junior College. The York, S.C. native also enjoyed a successful playing career. He began his collegiate career at De Anza JC and closed it at San Jose State, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1973. Hogue played semi-pro football with the San Jose Apaches from 1959-67. He and his wife Clara are the parents of three sons-Arnie, Robert and Sean. Hogue's Highlights: Coaching Synopsis: 1990-present, secondary, Utah; 1977-81, defensive backs Utah; 1974- 76, defensive backs, Long Beach State; 1970-73, defensive backs, De Anza Junior College; Education: 1973, bachelor's degree in physical education, San Jose State; Born: Dec. 19,1937, BILL SMITH Linebackers 3rd Year Utah's jump from the bottom to the top of the Western Athletic Conference defensive pile owes a big part of its push to Bill Smith and his linebackers. In his first year on the staff, Smith produced Utah's first all-WAC linebacker in six years (Anthony Davis). Last year, Davis was the WAC's only defensive returnee on the first unit. In 1990, Smith's position boasted Utah's leading tackier- Pita Tonga (who returns in '92, after redshirting last year with an injury). Smith's instant impact on Utah's defensive fortunes should come as no surprise. The defense made a name for itself at all of his previous landing points. Smith, defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Weber State in 1989, was also responsible for the Wildcat linebackers. Prior to his Weber experience, Smith developed the Big Sky's total defense leader as Montana's defensive coordinator from 1986- 88. In 1988, the Griz defense yielded just 279.9 yards of total offense per game. Under Smith's guidance, the 1988 Grizzlies led the Big Sky in rushing defense, passing defense, scoring defense, completion percentage (43.1%) and interceptions (28). They finished with an 8-4 mark and qualified for the NCAA I-AA playoffs. Portland State was another beneficiary of Smith's defensive abilities. He served as defensive coordinator and line coach at PSU from 1980-85. His 1984 Viking defense did not relinquish a single touchdown in Western Football Conference play. Before embarking upon his collegiate coaching career, Smith spent 11 years as a high school coach. A fine player in his own right, the Boise, Idaho native spent two seasons playing for his father, Lyle Smith, at Boise Junior College and was an all-conference, All-America choice in 1964. His NCAA Division I playing experience was at Oregon, where he won all-coast honors in 1966 and played in the 1967 Senior Bowl All-Star Game. He was drafted and played professional ball for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. Smith graduated from Oregon with a bachelor's degree in history in 1968. In 1971, he earned a master's degree in curriculum/ instruction from the same institution. He and his wife Janine have two children- Riley and Ashley. Smith Notes: Coaching Synopsis: 1990-present, linebackers, Utah; 1989, assistant head coach/defensive coordinator, Weber State; 1986-88, defensive coordinator, Montana; 1980-85, defensive coordinator/defensive line/linebackers, Portland State; 1978-79, head coach, Marian High School (San Diego); 1971-77, defensive coordinator, Jesuit High School (Oregon); 1970, graduate assistant, Oregon; 1968-69, offensive line, Capital High School (Idaho); Education: 1971, master's of curriculum/instruction degree, Oregon; 1968, bachelor of history degree, Oregon; Born: Mar, 22,1945. RANDY GOMEZ Graduate Assistant/ Quarterbacks Randy Gomez, a former two-time Most Valuable Player for the Ute football team (1977-78), has returned as a graduate assistant. Gomez, a record-setting quarterback during his Ute career, will help coach the U. quarterbacks this fall. An academic all-WAC football pick in 1978, Gomez also played baseball at Utah, and was twice chosen as his team's MVP. He left the U. for a professional baseball career, which spanned seven years (1980-87) and two organizations (San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox). In 1987, Gomez switched to coaching-serving as quarterback coach at San Mateo Junior College. Gomez- and his wife, the former Machelle Sitgraves, have a baby girl, Marissa. ANDY LUDWIG Graduate Assistant/ ^ Defensive Backs Andy Ludwig, who helped coach his alma mater Portland State to a berth in the 1987 and 1988 NCAA Division II national championships, has joined the Ute staff as a graduate assistant. His primary coaching duties will fall with the defensive backs. Ludwig, who coached the PSU wide receivers during his two years on board, later moved on to Idaho State, where he coached the wide receivers from 1989-91 and was quarterback and receiver coach in 1991. A former standout player at Snow College, he was named all-conference in 1983. Ludwig played his high school ball at Bonneville High (Utah), where he was on the 1980 state championship team. Originally from Danville, Calif., Ludwig earned a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science from Portland State in 1987. He is married to the former Jill Moller. 20 |
