OGDEN — For the Weber State football team, 2004 was the kind of season that no one anticipated.
How could anyone predict a nightmare 1-10 record for the Wildcats coming off an 8-4 season in 2003?
Following the last game in November of 2003, Jerry Graybeal was awarded the Big Sky Coach of the Year and signed a three-year contract. Nick Chournos, the top running back in the conference, was returning. Hopes were high for 2004, and for the first time in a few years, the Wildcats weren't projected to finish last in the league in the preseason polls by coaches and media.
Then Weber State played its first game and lost a winnable 34-31 contest to Southern Utah. That was followed up by a 31-0 loss at UTEP and another close defeat at home to UC-Davis, 31-28. This generated a lack of confidence among the players, who were already young and suffering from various injuries.
WSU struggled defensively and at the quarterback position, and while opponents scored touchdowns, the Wildcats were kicking field goals. Throw it all together and what do you get? The worst season in school history and Graybeal's resignation. It was also the first time since 1962 that Weber State failed to win a game in Stewart Stadium.
"You can throw out all the excuses you want," said former WSU coach Jerry Graybeal. "The bottom line was not enough wins."
That task will be former University of Utah coach Ron McBride's next year. He will replace Graybeal and return to the state of Utah two years after being fired from the U. and going to Kentucky as the linebackers coach. The Wildcats will announce McBride's hiring today or Thursday.
As for Graybeal, he is now working as a special assistant in the athletic department. He is also updating his resume, making calls and trying to get his name out there in the right circles. What he would rather be doing is preparing for the 2005 season, especially with virtually everyone returning. Next year's starting lineup will only lose five to graduation and have a senior class of 20.
"The potential is there to be a good team," Graybeal said. "The key will be getting a new coach in quickly and teaching his new system. There will be a strong senior class."
Perhaps the biggest loss for the Wildcats is Chournos, the school's career rushing and all-purpose yards leader. The Bear River bruiser ran for 1,052 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season at WSU.
He finished his senior year at Weber State with more than 3,500 career yards rushing and 30 total touchdowns. In 2003, he was first team All-Big Sky, and in 2004, he was selected for the second team.
The Wildcats also lose starting receivers Chris McConnell and Ryan Nath, safety Ryan Wight and cornerback James McCowan.
The team does return Big Sky Co-defensive Player of the Year Brady Fosmark, second-team kicker Joe "The Toe" Johnson and honorable mentions Paul McQuistan, David Hale, Ian Pizarro, Adrian Conway, Wiley King, Shane Barkdull, Eric Jones, Dallas Drecksel and John McBride.
"Brady had an unbelievable year," Graybeal said. "Nick was a leader throughout the year and played under painful circumstances the last couple of games. Give credit to Joe, he worked hard to improve himself during the summer and showed consistency. There are a lot of young players on that honorable mention list who I am sure will be on the first or second teams next season."
Football seasons in review
Tuesday — Utah State
Today — Weber State
Thursday — Southern Utah
Friday — BYU
Jan. 2005 — Utah