This time a year ago, Bronco Mendenhall and Kyle Whittingham knew their futures would change by season's end.
Now a year later, so much has transpired, you could almost write a book about the drama, twists and turns and emotions of 2005 — the year they both became Division I coaches.
Close your eyes and think back a year ago: Kyle Whittingham. Bronco Mendenhall.
Now switch to today. Apply the same names to the test, think and let it rest a second or two.
It is strange.
Now reflect back to how it all began.
Just more than a year ago (give or take a week), Whittingham and the rest of the world sensed Utah head coach Urban Meyer would be at Notre Dame. This was a few days before a report from an Internet site in Gainesville hinted Meyer was actually headed for Florida — and nobody gave the rumor much credibility.
Mendenhall had an inkling his friend and mentor, Gary Crowton, was in job trouble — not so much for a third losing season but for off-field troubles that had embarrassed the school and program.
Then it all came down. Crowton resigned under pressure. Meyer decided to spurn Notre Dame, leave Utah and take a $14 million job at Florida. Whittingham became the immediate candidate to pick up the pieces as Meyer's staff headed for Florida and Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Mendenhall joined fellow assistant coach Lance Reynolds in a waiting game while BYU and Utah made proposals to Whittingham. Utah did the most dealing, extending three or four deadlines for Whittingham on Dec. 7, 2004, to make a decision, upping the ante in the $2 million range about dinner time that Tuesday night.
Previously, Whittingham had given a soft oral commitment to BYU's administrators, who were in New York City, but he asked for time to see if that was truly his desire.
After touring his hometown of Provo on Dec. 7, driving around BYU's campus where he'd played as a team captain and visiting his father's grave, Whittingham decided he would stay at Utah and announced it to players late that night.
Utah rewarded Kyle for his loyalty. It was on to the Fiesta Bowl.
Back in Provo, Mendenhall and Reynolds, left in limbo for more than a week, were called in and with emotions as fragmented as light on a disco ball, interviewed with BYU president Cecil O. Samuelson on Friday and then Saturday. By Sunday, Dec. 12, Mendenhall prepared for a Monday press conference to be announced as BYU's head coach.
It's been an adventure for Mendenhall and Whittingham.
They've had to sell their philosophies, hires and recruiting pitches. They've had to court a fan base, sell their wares and themselves. They've had to deal with the media like they've never had to in their careers.
Mendenhall kept his role as defensive coordinator. Whittingham gave his coordinator job up.
Both admit to learning experiences, mistakes, surprises and having to make adjustments on the fly.
Both have experienced anxiety they'll likely keep private for the present.
Mendenhall inherited a team that Crowton had banked on becoming the first winner since 2001. Whittingham lost a No. 1 NFL first-round draft pick and other key players, but those who returned from a BCS-busting undefeated team were picked to win the league title.
Now we get to rivalry week.
The season has dealt both highs and lows.
Both Mendenhall and Whittingham have lost games they should have won — most notably setbacks to TCU, both in overtime, and painful defeats at the hands of struggling San Diego State.
The Cougars, at 6-4, are almost assuredly bowl-bound with wins in five of their last 6 after a 1-3 start.
The Utes are 5-5, and come to Provo having lost four of the last six after a 3-1 start.
Both have likely gained 10 years of football wisdom the past 11 months. They are young men, but they've aged more than one year on the clock.
Come December, the anniversary date of their hires, the media and fan climates surrounding their jobs are drastically contrasted. There is elation and frustration, hope and confusion, disappointment and momentum, injuries and health. Slice it up how you want it to apply, but you can't deny the drama, the plot twist to their stories, the impact on their lives.
It's a tale of two coaches and the profession they love.
One thing is certain. In the history of the rivalry, when it comes to these two head coaches, this has been one of the strangest of times anyone could imagine.
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com