I am really glad that dick threw in that last line because I was really thinking about hiring these guys to prosecute the media for all the hubbub about the U-Dub call. Guess I will have to look somewhere else for that.

All BYU fans should have the utmost respect for what Norm Chow did for BYU. I remember during some of Lavell's lean years it was Chow that was bad mouthed the most by BYU fans. The offense sometimes had become stale. I think this was probably from a lack of talent as reruiting may have slipped during some of Lavell's last years. Anyway, my love for Cougar football was developed during the years Chow did such a great job as offensive coordinator. BYU was lucky to have had him. He's a fierce competitor. Anae is out of the same mold.

I am happy for Norm to come to Provo. He is the best. That being said Anae is better than a gem in Provo he is truly a great coach. His temperament develops great athletes and his record stands on its own. We don't have to worry about horsepower against Chow just consistence. If we are consistent we will win. If not it can be anyone's game. In any case welcome to Dr Chow and lets have a great game

Great story! Thanks

Since Anae started I thought he was a good offensive coordinator, but not a great one. My biggest knocks on him is he didn't run enough screen or draws. He's already corrected that this year. The bubble screen to Mike Reed in the Washington game came at the perfect time. I hope we can keep this staff together for at least one more year, but it's inevitable that we will lose Hill and Anae eventually.

Some excellent coaches have come through BYU. Chow and Crowton are probably the top two offensive coordinators in the nation. Sarkisian is top 5 and Anae is on his way. When it comes to getting the most out of what you have, I think history will show Hill as one of the top defensive coordinators as well. And on top of it all, we couldn't have a more perfect fit for BYU's unique culture than Bronco. Forget Quarterback U - with our pipeline into the NFL and top college coaching ranks we really have been Coach U.

Chow is an excellent example of not really appreciating or understanding what you have until it is gone. I hope he recognizes that thousands of BYU fans appreciate all he did for the Cougs.

It makes sense that the Teacher (Dr. Chow) would be praised for his knowledge and ability to adjust a plan, and the Sociologist (Dr. Anae) we be praised for his ability to listen to a group, get his way, and still have everybody happy.

I loved Chow, and had a really hard time loosing him, but got more excited than ever with Anae coming to BYU. The Offense is so much more fun to watch (See John Beck Freshman-Sophmore, to Junior-Senior) and the team has a swagger that it has been missing for years. People seem to shred Anae for some decisions he makes during games, and rarely praise him for what goes right.

For me its nice to see BYU look like BYU. We had three different Offensive Coordinators in a five year period after Chow, go figure its another Hawaiian, with our old school Chow-influenced offense that put pride back in the position, and filled the stadium back up with fans.

It's PUNAHOU, sir. I was graduated from that institution. My older brother played with Norm and though Norm's a personal friend, I hope the heck we send him out of Provo with his tail between his legs.

What is this, BYU won four wac titles in those four years??? Gee, I thought that with all the ute tradition that they won all the wac titles during that time frame. You mean BYU has dominated wac and mwc conference play over the last thirty years?? Somebody should tell ute fans because they're living in a different fantasy world.

To the guy who is constantly personally attacking Dick Harmon:

Are you a disgruntled former copy editor for the DN who is just out for revenge? Relax. Get over it. Life is too short to go on hating forever.

Dick is a wonderful, understanding sportswriter, a bit of a BYU homer, but one who understands his audience and helps fans connect to the personalities within the BYU sports program.

If reading Dick's articles upsets you so much, then stop reading them. There are lots of other sportwriters who write about Utah sports.

IM not a UTE, Wildcat, but it is funny you are the first troller to throw down other in state teams. I have read nothing but complimentary posts and of course you can't resist the temptation to go "BYU Mormon" on us and throw down those around you. Does anyone at the U or USU or WSU doubt BYU is great in football NO-so stop being so arrogant and take a compliment by not throwing others under the bus, man you BYU self righteous folk are funny:)

Re Relieved

GET A LIFE!!! NO ONE LIKES YOU!!!!! Ripping Dick Harmon won't draw people to you or make them your friend. Be a nice little boy and just go away.

Don't get it twisted, Coach Chow built USC! after all the success at BYBOO with average athletes they booted him. For the average fan they didnt know they had probably the best offense coordinator in the history of college football. And i promise UCLA will be a power house within the next couple of years. I still love BYU, but after all the hard work he put in the school, they pretty much slammed the door on him for someone buddy of the a.d. Once again no loyal ship. Anae shouldnt get to confy, he might be next!!

I love BYU and can still tell that Harmon's the biggest BYU homer in sports media. Even so, I liked the article.

But the "Relieved" quote was still funny.

I have to agree with band wagon. Coach Chow was the genious behind the Cougar offense. It was a sad day when he was thrown under the bus. I am a life long Cougar fan but I have to believe that we might be in some trouble with UCLA this weekend. Unless our DB's stay tighter on their wide-outs we are going to have a long afternoon!

Great article.

Had to laugh reading all the metaphors used... cut...cloth, bark...tree and on and on.

Anae is no Steve Sarkisian..... but I'm willing to see him through another season as long as he has settled the issue of running the ball and not taking a knee as should have been done inside our own 10 yd line with 7 seconds on the clock before the half........those kind of gambles ending in fumbles are why we've had these close games that end in controversy.....including last year's fiasco in the Vegas Bowl........Nice Job of painting pictures of both O.C.'s Harmon

81-84,

The 43-7 record for the '81-'84 are the years Anae played at BYU. Hence the stat.

scoobie the only reason sarkisian is doing so well is because he is at usc where every kid wants to play. he is in over his head los angelas is complaining about him and wanting him gone so you should get your facts right before you say anything

Anae did an excellent job last game, he kept WA off balance all game, especially with the 3rd down conversion calls. Some more screens and draws would be nice. I think he has really progressed since the first year or two, when things were pretty much pass every down such as the loss to UNLV, instead of utilizing the talent better in the backfield, ie, running Brown more that game. Chow deserves a lot of credit for BYU's success. Many fans were supportive of him even during his last years. The ignorant (lacking historical perspective) vocal ones did not represent the majority. I wonder why a head coaching position continues to allude him.
UCLA has had two weeks to prepare, so that is a little scary. BYU will have two weeks to prepare for Utah St. Ok. I'll leave it at that. Go cougs and to the fans who are there please yell loud and often. I think this game will be crazy. That last drive by WA hopefully doesn't represent the BYU D.
BYU 47 UCLA 35

As Jim McMahon is reputed to have said regarding coaches:
"All those guys do is make work. The game ain't that hard."

We have not lost to UNLV since Anae got here. That was Gary Crowton's ineptitude. Anae is a young OC and is still learning, but shoot, even Chow is still learning things.

I think Anae's potential is obvious. And he's getting better every year. So, fans, just know that every know and then there will be learning moments. Sometimes even learning games.

People dog the play call to run at the end of the first half of the Vegas bowl. Yes, it almost cost us the game, but we live, we learn. I've seen a ton of teams simply call a conservative running play to end the first half. That's exactly what Anae called. UCLA just happened to make a great play. However, given a similar situation in the future, we all, including Anae, now know to take a knee.

I just ask that people recognize the fact that the BYU offense hasn't been this good in over a decade. Anae is obviously doing something right, and he's only going to get better with time.

BYU will find how how hopless their BCS chances are this saturday when UCLA make them realize that they have SERIOUS limitations

I'm sure you'll be back to crow if your prediction comes true, but will you be man enough to return for your helping of crow when BYU's win keeps the Quest alive?

I worked with Anae in BYU intramurals (flag fb), I'm pretty sure it was him, I was a referee and he a supervisor of games, or whatever they called it. He was definitely the strong, silent type, but definitey a presence, you knew he was in charge. I enjoyed working with him, wasn't big headed for being a fb player. It was fun watching Y baseball (Cory Snyder was a good qb) and basketball players (I remember this 6-7 forward was a good qb also) play flag fb but I doubt they're able to now, liability, fear of injury. Good to hear good things happening with him. He had a brother played d-line, wonder what he's up to.

Ref: re:scoobie
Oh I see, you did have something else to say. Well how come it took you two days to come up with a fine oxymoron as your take on Sarkisian..... who by our own account is doing so well but.... so in over his head at USC that "EVERYBODY" in LA wants him gone??? You've already proven that you don't fully read others postings....but this begs asking..... do you even bother to proofread your own. I ask again.....anything else??? ..........If you and so many others in L.A. are tired of Steve I'm sure that we can find a place for him here in Utah...... (BYU, UTAH, USU).....but I don't think Pete Carol would be stupid two times in a row. He's still got the same type of issues with Norm Chow as BYU does.

We're exceptionally happy with Coach Chow. I think that the Titans made a huge mistake letting him go. He brings an organization to the offense that has been absent in UCLA's offense and sideline the past 5 years. Karl Dorrel's offense, with his 200 plus plays and variations was way too large for a college team to master. In the Tennessee game there were no mental mistakes on snaps and getting plays in. Things will only get better for UCLA with Chow and Walker together. I think UCLA's defense should handle BYU's offense pretty well. Unless the altitude becomes a factor the score should be around UCLA 24 and BYU 14.

Now that BYU us honoring somebody atvtge beginning of each game, I think they should take the opportunity to honor Nirm Chow. It would be incredibly sportsmanlike and well deserved. He was as much part of the glory days as anyone. Who's with me? (and,btw, I do see us entering more glory says now).

Being a UCLA fan from S. Cal since I was age ten, I rooted for them until I went to BYU in the 60's. Oh how I hate to see them play eachother. I will be happy for the winner and extremely sad for the loser. Finally, I think all the wonderful comments you folks have given Norm Chow is supportative of the fack that BYU's fans are, indeed, a class act. (My third team is, of course, USC....)

To all the naysayers and second guessers, listen to what one of the current staff says about Chow. I think back to all the fans ripping on Chow all the time during the end. Where are they now?

"As far as Norm is concerned, I don't think there is anybody better. I think Robert is every bit as good as him, look what he's done, but there is nobody better than Norm Chow."

REF: Honoring Chow
Very good suggestion but, I'm afraid saving face just doesn't appeal to our present administration. I don't think it's going to affect Norm's outlook regardless.....he's doing fine....and most already know that he "is" the best at what he does.