Bronco Mendenhall named as new head football coach
Utah State football announced Friday morning that former BYU, Virginia and New Mexico head coach Bronco Mendenhall will take over as the Aggies’ newest head football coach. The formal announcement comes after weeks of speculation over who would take over for USU after a turbulent season full of coaching unknowns.
“Bronco is one of the most experienced coaches in college football. His leadership, proven record, and deep understanding of the game make him the ideal choice to elevate our program,” Utah State athletic director Diana Sabau said in a press release from the university. “Bronco’s success goes far beyond football. He has a profound connection and care for developing young men. His student-athletes are proven leaders, and he has consistently built programs that emphasize character, discipline, and excellence in every aspect of their lives.”
Prior to the 2024 season, Utah State named Nate Dreiling, the defensive coordinator, as the interim head coach. At the time, Sabau said that Dreiling would have the opportunity to win the job and stay on as the head coach. After a slow start to the season, Sabau confirmed that a head coaching search had begun, and Mendenhall was rumored to be in the mix.
Mendenhall, a native of Alpine, Utah, comes to Logan with 18 years of head coaching experience including 11 years at in-state rival BYU, six years at Virginia and most recently one year at conference rival New Mexico.
Mendenhall has a proven record of winning while in the head coaching role. In his 11 years at BYU, Mendenhall’s Cougars were bowl-eligible in all 11 seasons, were ranked in the AP Top 25 seven times, and three times finished the year with an impressive 11-2 record.
Additionally, Mendenhall has plenty of experience turning around struggling programs. Mendenhall left BYU to be the head coach at UVA in 2016 after 11 straight winning seasons in Provo. At the time, the Cavaliers had posted a winning record in just one of their previous eight seasons.
In his first season with Virginia, his squad won just two games and lost ten. Mendenhall led his squad to bowl eligibility in each of the next three seasons, twice finding themselves ranked in the AP Top 25.
Most recently, Mendenhall has coached at New Mexico where they posted a 5-7 record in his lone season. While not enough to qualify as bowl-eligible, those five wins are the most the Lobos have had since they won nine games in 2016.
Mendenhall comes to Logan with another opportunity to turn a program around, though the situation at USU is not quite as drastic as his previous locations. Utah State football has appeared in a bowl game in 13 of their last 15 seasons prior to the 2024 campaign. This includes three AP Top 25 rankings, a Mountain West Championship in 2021 and a WAC Championship in 2012.
Utah State turns to Mendenhall after the dismissal of former head coach Blake Anderson in July and a 4-8 2024 season led by Dreiling as the interim head coach and defensive coordinator. Mendenhall has proven experience in this area and claims to be up to the task once again.
“My passion is developing young people and transforming football programs to reach their full potential,” Mendenhall said in a university press release. “Utah State provides a great opportunity to do both and allows a family focus that is essential to me and Holly. We look forward to adding to Utah State’s rich tradition and striving for football excellence.”
It is unclear whether Mendenhall will retain the current USU coaching staff, most notably offensive coordinator Kyle Cefalo and Dreiling as defensive coordinator. Utah State is expected to introduce Mendenhall at a formal press conference sometime in the near future.