Why were nine FBS head coaches in Layton, Utah this weekend?
Layton, Utah, lies off the eastern coast of Great Salt Lake, 25 miles up Interstate 15 from Salt Lake City. Not exactly the epicenter of the college football universe by any stretch of the imagination.
Yet this suburb of nearly 70,000 drew the likes of Bob Stoops,
Steve Sarkisian
Chris Petersen
as well as Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre, Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl, Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen, and the head coach of each of Utah's three FBS programs - Kyle Whittingham, Bronco Mendenhall and Matt Wells. The Beehive State's FCS programs - Weber State (Jay Hill) and Southern Utah (Ed Lamb) were also represented by their head coaches.
This weekend was the 15th annual All Poly Camp, a camp that has grown from an enrollment of 30 campers to more than 450. As the number (and quality) of players has risen, so has the number of big-time coaches.
“If you’re a football guy, this is where you want to be,” All Poly Camp founder Alema Te’o told the Deseret News. “End of story.”
Though its name and its website touting Polynesian football success stories may imply otherwise, the camp is open to players from all races and backgrounds.
“It’s great to come back and be able to be in this environment,” said Andersen, who has attended all 15 camps dating back to his days as a Utah assistant. “I would say as far as the nation goes, if it’s not the best it’s definitely one of the best in the country.”
Rather than just a glorified recruiting combine, the All Poly Camp has evolved beyond just a camp. It's now an event where anyone that plays in or recruits in Utah pitches in and does their part to support football within the state's borders.
“Of course, recruiting is a big part of it, but you’re actually here to just really help kids and give back to the community and do some service,” said BYU defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi. “You’ve got to do it. I’ve got to do my part. I wouldn’t feel good if I don’t do my part.”
