BYU coach lauds Rebels’ hire

Brigham Young's Bronco Mendenhall got to know UNLV's Bobby Hauck when they were assistant football coaches at Northern Arizona in 1993 and 1994, and he thinks the Rebels hired a quality coach.

But Mendenhall said it takes more than hiring a good coach to establish a successful program, pointing to the groundwork set by his school, Utah and Texas Christian -- the so-called Big Three of the Mountain West Conference.

"I think as you see turnover at those other (six MWC) institutions, you also see a lack of resources," Mendenhall said at Tuesday's league media days at Red Rock Resort. "It takes leadership and resources over time."

Mendenhall, BYU's head coach since 2005, has long said that he thinks UNLV isn't far from turning around its lackluster program. But he knows Hauck doesn't have much time to get it done.

"Each of us has a three-year window," Mendenhall said, "Regardless of circumstance, when you get the job, you've got three years. If you don't do something in that time, you'll probably be gone."

■ MOVING UP -- Utah is trying to focus on this season without looking ahead too much to next year's move to the Pac-12 Conference. That shouldn't be difficult for the seniors, who won't get to experience playing a Pac-12 schedule.

"I think it's a little bittersweet," Utes senior offensive lineman Zane Taylor said. "The great thing is knowing I'm part of the last Utah Mountain West team. In my senior year, I want us to prove why we were selected, so I definitely want to go in as the Mountain West champions."

Utah's archrival, BYU, was not part of the move to the soon-to-be-former Pac-10. Mendenhall said the conference "made it very clear" it never wanted the Mormon-based school.

"BYU has a unique place, and some conferences don't want a faith-based institution," Mendenhall said.

■ NEW DIGS -- TCU will tear down its stadium after this season and build a new one.

Coach Gary Patterson said he expects construction to be between halfway and three-quarters completed when the 2011 season begins, but the Horned Frogs will still be able to play in the stadium.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.