PARK CITY — Weber State football coach Jerry Graybeal should feel pretty good about the look of things going into the 2004 season.
In 2003, he coached the Wildcats to an 8-4 (4-3) record and received the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year Award. He was also given a new four-year contract to remain as head coach and the off-season was fairly productive. But despite all that, something is still eating at Graybeal.
"We only needed one more win to (tie for the conference title and make the playoffs)," Graybeal said Tuesday at the conclusion of the Big Sky Conference Kickoff. "We need to learn from that."
If that lesson can be digested among the players on the team, Graybeal believes the Wildcats can put themselves in a position to play for the conference title. Despite losing 19 seniors, including 12 starters, Graybeal said Weber State has more athletic ability and strength to compensate for a lack of experience. In a conference where there is "a lot of talent and teams are constantly getting better," Graybeal's formula for success is simple.
"You got to find a way to win the road games and then defend your home turf," Graybeal said. "(The best teams) find a way. If you look at last year, Northern Arizona, Montana and Montana State all did that, and look, they ended up in the playoffs."
At the same time, the Wildcats won't be sneaking up on opponents any time soon. Big Sky opponents will be ready for the Wildcats.
Northern Arizona coach Jerome Souers said Graybeal deserved coach of the year for the way the Wildcats finished the season. He also isn't looking forward to preparing for their game on Sept. 25 at NAU.
"Every program has a defining moment about which way you're going to go and (Weber State) responded with character and integrity and found a way (to finish strong)," Souers said. "(Weber State) is always tough, no matter where the game is played. Our conference is as balanced as any in the country, top to bottom. It wears you out just thinking about it, man, no easy games."
Montana State coach Mike Kramer echoed the sentiment and gave his opinion of who might win the conference title.
"Coach Graybeal and his staff did a commendable job last year. It was appropriate for him to get Coach of the Year. It is harder to coach when your team is not in the hunt than when they are in the hunt," Kramer said. "But the team that wins the conference this year will be the team that plays the best in November. The winner will also go 5-2 (in conference play)."
Weber State begins its fall practices on Aug. 7, and it opens the season on Sept. 4 at home against Southern Utah.