Cavalier Corner

as the head coach at BYU was a team that did ev- erything possible so it could be relentless. It means having a pace and tempo that challenges opposing teams to try to keep up, which is something he's also hoping to bring to Scott Stadium. "That's certainly the approach we start with and based on the team's ability not only to run the plays we have but at the tempo that we would like to, which determines the pace we'll play," he said. "We can go from the fastest in college football to a traditional and more normal pace. Who we have will really have a lot to do with what that looks like in year one." Even though he's got experienced coaches over- seeing his offensive line, linebackers and special teams, Mendenhall's hiring of veteran strength and conditioning coach Frank Wintrich was a big key in the Hoos being able to have that tempo. In fact, it was his goal from the outset and one that goes far beyond just preparing the players physically for the challenges ahead. "He was my first hire," Mendenhall said of Win- trich. "Not only is the strength coach responsible for physiologically getting our team ready, and I want the healthiest and best conditioned team in sport, but Frank does a really nice job with the culture. He and I are aligned completely on that part, on the culture of hard work and everything being earned and not given. Those things are critical to us, to allow our coaching staff to coach our players effectively rather than our entire time having to teach culture as well. "They're going to have nine weeks with Frank before they make it to spring practice and quite frankly, they won't get to spring practice unless I think that they're ready," he added. "And even within a practice, they don't get to practice football until their effort and mindset is right. I don't know how many practices it'll take but they're certainly go- ing to try hard first. Like I've said, I believe in will before skill." As both a coach and as a person, Mendenhall is naturally inquisitive. He's the type who is unable to move on until he figures something out. It's one of the reasons why he's such an organizationally

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