PROVO — If everything goes as planned, BYU will usher in the Gary Crowton Era with a 6:30 p.m. Wednesday press conference.
And while members of the Cougar football team don't know much about Crowton, their soon-to-be new coach, they said they are not surprised by the school's decision to hire him and are eager to meet him.
BYU players may not get that chance Wednesday, though Crowton will arrive here this afternoon from Chicago to meet with members of the BYU coaching search committee. He also could meet with assistant coaches prior to the official announcement.
"If he's the best coach for the job, that's great," said junior defensive tackle Ryan Denney. "I've never met him. I know he's been in the NFL, so he will bring great things to our team."
"I know that he likes to spread things out and throw the ball," said sophomore running back Luke Staley. "I always want the ball more."
Athletic director Val Hale was scheduled to fly to Chicago on a private jet this morning to bring Crowton to BYU. Crowton, who has served as the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator the past two seasons, will participate in Bears practice today and will return to the Windy City in time for practice Thursday. According to sources in Chicago, Crowton will continue coaching the Bears until their season ends Dec. 24.
For BYU, the timing of the announcement will facilitate the recruiting process. Several junior college prospects will be making official campus visits this weekend. The national signing period for JC recruits begins Dec. 13.
"If you're a recruit, you want to know what direction the program is going," Staley said. "This will help answer those questions."
Cougar players have wondered about who would be named LaVell Edwards' successor ever since Edwards announced his retirement plans last August. But they haven't been privy to any inside information.
"We're in the dark. We only know what we read in the papers," Denney said. "We have a positive attitude about the change. We'll miss LaVell, but we want to continue that tradition that he established."
The Cougars would like a smooth transition.
"It's going to be like starting over, like being a freshman again, learning a new system," Staley said. "I hope things don't change too much."
He added that he would like to see the majority of the current coaching staff be retained. "They're the ones who brought you here," Staley said. "You want to stay with them."
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com