Very sad to pass along news that LaVell Edwards, the legendary former BYU head coach, has passed away. Edwards was 86 years old.
Edwards coached the Cougars from 1972-2000, compiling an impressive 257-101-3 record leading the program. During that time, BYU finished under .500 only once (a 5-6 season in 1973) and he hit the double digit win mark a total of ten times. It's impossible to talk about Edwards without acknowledging the change he helped bring to college football Many Air Raid teams credit Edwards' forward thinking approach to offensive football for their innovation and growth over the years. Air Raid innovators like Hal Mumme often talk about their admiration of Edwards' aerial approach during a run-dominant era of college football, and credit him with the scheme's rise to prominence over the years. The Air Raid you see now at Texas Tech, Texas A&M, West Virginia, and a number of other programs are because of the influence on the game, coaches, and players, that Edwards had during his time in Provo. BYU stadium was named after Edwards following his retirement in 2000. A number of former players, coaches and friends of Edwards' are sharing their thoughts on the coach, and man that helped shape their lives beyond plays.
Please join us in keeping coach Edwards' family, and all those he touched during his coaching career, in your thoughts and prayers.
The coaching profession has lost a not only a true legend, but also an innovator of the game who is still making an impact on schemes decades after his retirement.