PROVO — Gary Crowton is in the process of deciding if he's going to jump in with both feet or stay completely away from the water.
The pool in question? Acting as the play-calling offensive coordinator as he did in 2001 and 2002, or handing that job to somebody else entirely.
"I haven't made that decision yet," Crowton said on Monday, the first day he took questions with reporters since the 4-8 season ended in a 3-0 loss to Utah in LaVell Edwards Stadium.
If he hands the job to assistant coach Robbie Bosco, who handled that assignment in the majority of this past season's games, he'll keep status quo. If he brings in a person, it will be the second year of change. If he handles it himself, it may not preclude other changes on staff.
Crowton said he has not finished holding reviews with members of his coaching staff and has not taken any action toward replacing any assistant coaches — something he did with offensive coordinator Mike Borich and defensive coordinator Ken Schmidt after last season.
"I thought the change we made on defense last year proved to be a good one. We accomplished what we wanted to do on the defensive side of the ball. We ended the season ranked No. 15 nationally in total defense. At the end of the season we improved in key areas of special teams. On offense, it turned out to be a disappointing season, and we've got our work ahead of us."
Crowton sounded confident that if he needed to step in and take over offensive duties he could make similar progress. "I believe I can do that, if that's what I decide."
In a week of personnel reviews, Crowton confirmed, he met with BYU President Cecil Samuelson last week. "I meet with the athletic director, vice president and president of the university after every season this time of year — nothing unusual," Crowton said.
"I had a very positive visit with the president."
Crowton said he believes he saw progress in some aspects of his offense this past season — the number of sacks and the quarterback protection improved in the final quarter of the season when facing solid opponents like Boise State, Notre Dame and Utah.
"The last three games we played were probably our toughest opponents, and it was hard to see progress. Our quarterback situation was a big detour for us at a critical time," Crowton said of losing Matt Berry and John Beck to broken throwing hands.
Crowton predicted BYU's defense would continue to improve next season — so would special teams, which ranked second to Utah in kickoff returns in conference games. "If you count Paul Walkenhorst returning as a starter in 2002, we have eight returning starters on defense and could get Brandon Heaney a sixth year."
On offense, Crowton is looking for recruiting targets, particularly in the JC ranks to bolster his wide-receiver corps. He likes his returning running backs with the addition of redshirt Curtis Brown and return of Rey Brathwaite, Fahu Tahi and Marcus Whalen. "We will also study a few teams with similar personnel types and study how we are compared with that 2001 season."
Crowton likes the experience Berry and Beck got — even if both got injured. "We will seek to improve on offense with recruiting so we can increase the competitive level of the players we have."
The coach said he now has a better handle on the coming and going of his LDS players on missions. "I've learned that it's tough to rely on a player just off a mission to come in and play a key backup role. I'm not saying it can't be done, that it hasn't been done, but it's a challenge. We'll address that by bringing in junior college players and others who will be here for four straight playing seasons in the program."
Crowton's 2003 recruiting class included 10 high school players, and eight of them either went directly on LDS missions out of high school or will leave for church service this winter. These mission players include starting linebacker David Nixon and reserve linebacker Matt Ah You. One freshman returns, offensive lineman Ofa Mohetau, and another, Timpview defensive lineman Brian Soi, did not qualify.
E-MAIL: dharmon@desnews.com