PROVO — After the BYU football program suffered its first losing season since 1973, there was bound to be a shake-up on the Cougar coaching staff.
A major change came Monday, when coach Gary Crowton announced that BYU defensive coordinator Ken Schmidt had decided to retire after 22 seasons in Provo. During a meeting Monday morning, Crowton and Schmidt discussed the direction of the defense. "He felt this was a good time to move on," Crowton said, "and I agreed."
Schmidt did not attend the afternoon news conference, but he did release a statement through the BYU media relations office.
"I've been coaching for nearly 40 years, and it's time to move on to the next phase of life," Schmidt said. "I met with Gary, and we mutually agreed that now was a good time to retire. I turn 61 this coming year, and I want to have the opportunity to do some other things. I want to play golf, go fishing and travel to see my kids who are living in different areas of the country."
Monday was the first time the coaches had an opportunity to meet together and review the 2002 season, Crowton said. Last week, most of the coaching staff was on the road, recruiting. "When we got back, we sat down and we talked about some things and we came to that mutual agreement and understanding," Crowton said.
During the season, and as recently as last week, Schmidt had indicated a desire to continue coaching. Crowton was asked if Schmidt hadn't retired, would he have been back at BYU next season? "Probably," Crowton said.
The scenario prompted a logical question: Did Schmidt voluntarily step down, or was he strongly encouraged to choose the retirement option? Crowton declined to get specific about his meeting with Schmidt. Monday night, Schmidt told KSL radio, "Sometimes when you've been at a place for a long time, you feel like you've worn out your welcome."
LaVell Edwards hired Schmidt at BYU in 1982 as a linebackers coach. Schmidt became the defensive coordinator in 1991. Crowton retained him on the staff when he took over the program two years ago. The Cougars were ranked No. 102 in total defense in 2001 and No. 68 this season.
Schmidt became many Cougar fans' favorite lightning rod for criticism. Following a loss at Nevada in September, in which BYU give up 31 first-half points to the Wolf Pack, fans ripped him on the radio and on the Internet. Yet Crowton defended Schmidt's coaching abilities.
The lowest point came in October when a slow-footed, shoddy-tackling BYU defense surrendered 52 points to Air Force. Over the final four games of the season, though, after some personnel changes on the field, the Cougars showed signs of improvement.
In fact, the defense played well enough to put BYU in position to win its final two games against New Mexico and Utah and go to a bowl — but the offense managed only 22 points in those two contests.
Middle linebacker Mike Tanner was with a study group Monday when he learned that Schmidt would not return in 2003.
"I was pretty shocked," said the junior from Orem. "I never saw it coming. I thought something would have been said earlier. I thought we had played well at the end of the year. It hurt a little bit. I'm close to coach Schmidt. But it's life, and you wait for what comes."
Tanner added that Schmidt was popular with the players. "He's the type of coach who came into the weight room and talked to us," he said. "He asked about our families and our school work. In the games, he was an intense guy with an aggressive attitude."
"As a team we loved him and everything he did for us," graduating tight end Spencer Nead told KSL radio. "We thought the world of him. He's a good friend of mine, and he was involved in the recruiting process that brought me to BYU. Whoever coach Crowton decides to bring in has some huge shoes to fill . . . (Schmidt) took a lot of heat for things he had no control over. As an offense, we put him in a lot of compromising situations."
Crowton praised Schmidt's contributions to the program over the years. "He's coached here a long time and I really respect the successes and the experiences that he has had here at BYU," he said. "I wish him and his family the best. He's a fine, very good person."
The Ken Schmidt file
Background
* Raised in Murray
* Played center and linebacker at Utah (1961-63).
* Holds two physical education degrees from Utah, earning a bachelor's in 1964 and a master's in 1969.
* Served as an assistant coach at Granger High (1964-68).
* Was head coach at Skyline High (1968-79), where he posted a 105-24-1 record and won five state championships.
* Served as head coach at Ricks College (1980-81), where he posted a 17-3 mark.
* Joined BYU staff in 1982 as linebackers coach. In 1991, he was elevated to defensive coordinator for a total of 22 seasons at BYU.
Accomplishments at BYU
* Coached eight NFL players, including Kurt Gouveia, Leon White and Rob Morris
* Was part of Cougars' 1984 national championship coaching staff
* Coached in 16 bowl games
Family
* Married to Yvonne Youngberg Schmidt. They have four sons, one daughter and 12 grandchildren.
Scott Taylor contributed to this report
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com