Crowton ready to lead BYU into new era

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2001 | 10:29 a.m.

Facts and figures on the BYU Cougars:

Head Coach: Gary Crowton (0-0 at BYU, 21-13 overall, 4th season)

2000 record: 6-6 (4-3, Tied for 3rd in Mountain West Conference)

Returning starters: 14

Player to watch: LB Justin Ena

Guy they'll miss: WR Margin Hooks

Key game: Sept. 29 at UNLV

Sun projection: 2nd place

The start of a new era of BYU football begins Saturday in Provo when the Cougars host Tulane in the BCA Classic.

Granite-jawed LaVell Edwards, the man who took the small LDS church program and turned it into a Top 20 fixture, retired after 29 years. He'll be gone but certainly not forgotten. Cougar Stadium is now LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Enter Gary Crowton, who left his job as offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears to try to replace the living legend.

It used to be the Cougars were just about an automatic preseason favorite to win the WAC and then the Mountain West Conference. But with Edwards gone, BYU finds itself getting picked behind the likes of Colorado State and UNLV in the MWC preseason poll.

But those who underestimate the Cougars this season could be in for a rude awakening.

BYU has 14 starters back from a team that went 6-6 against one of the nation's toughest schedules. And despite a rash of injuries, the Cougars still managed to tie UNLV for third place in the MWC and earn a Motor City Bowl bid.

Crowton, regarded as one of the top offensive minds in the game, has instilled some much needed off-season structure in the program, especially in the weight room.

"The change has been good," senior defensive end Brett Keisel told the Salt Lake Tribune. "You can't replace coach Edwards, but our team needed this. I've been here since '97, and I've never seen us come into camp in this good of shape. Usually the offensive linemen take off their shirts and ... well, it's like a bunch of bowls full of jelly out there. They're all rolling and jiggling around. Now, they're trim, slim and pretty."

"He's new," Cougar center Jason Scukanec said of Crowton. "And any time you get something new, it's like Christmas. If you get a new toy, it's exciting. We've been excited to work out. Having a new body is like having a new car. You're eager to take it out for a spin and see how it performs."

The 2001 model of the Cougars should have some firepower.

Junior running back Luke Staley, who trounced through UNLV's defense for 167 yards last year, returns, as does explosive backup Brian McDonald.

"I've never gone into the season feeling this good," Staley said.

Crowton has three experienced quarterbacks to work with -- senior Brandon Doman, junior Bret Engemann and senior Charlie Peterson -- and has elected to gave Doman, a good runner as well as a passer, first crack at the job.

The Cougars lose three standout wide receivers in all-MWC pick Margin Hooks, Jonathan Pittman and dependable Ben Horton. But Crowton is very high on 22-year-old redshirt freshman Rod Wilkerson, who has been timed at 10.67 in the 100 meters, and converted running back Reno "Junior" Mahe, who committed briefly to UNLV last spring before deciding to return to BYU where he had been dismissed for an honors code violation.

The entire offensive line returns intact and is expected to be quicker and stronger thanks to the emphasis on off-season conditioning.

Defensively, the Cougars have perhaps the conference's best trio of linebackers led by junior All-American candidate Justin Ena, arguably the MWC's best NFL defensive prospect.

And BYU's special teams, led by senior punter Aaron Edmonds and return specialist Mike Rigell, also rates at the top of the conference.

The big key will be how long it takes for the Cougars to adjust to Crowton's more physical style of play. Unlike recent years, wide receivers will actually be called upon to block now.

"His practices are more physical and challenging," Scukanec said. "We do more hitting. He forces you into a baptism by fire. It's good."

This is the second in a series of stories previewing the 2001 MWC football teams. Wednesday: Colorado State.