Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall, wearing blue, watches players during warmups
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall watches players during warmups before a game against Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Ryan McDonald
By Ryan McDonald

Virginia head football coach Bronco Mendenhall, the former BYU head coach, will resign following the Cavaliers’ upcoming bowl game.

The school made the announcement on Thursday afternoon (bowl game matchups will be announced this weekend).

Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported that Mendenhall is not resigning so he can take another job.

Special Collector's Issue: "1984: The Year BYU was Second to None"
Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football's 1984 National Championship season.
Buy Now

“It has been a privilege to have Bronco Mendenhall direct the Virginia football team over the past six seasons,” said Virginia athletics director Carla Williams in the announcement. “He has done an exceptional job of not just transforming the program, but elevating the expectations for the program.

1 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall watches a play during a game with Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
2 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall walks onto the field prior to a game with Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
3 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall chats with Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly after a game in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
4 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall laughs during a press conference after a game with Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
5 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall chats with Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly prior to a game in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
6 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall talks with players during warmups with Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
7 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall watches a play during a game with Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
8 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall walks the field prior to a game with Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
9 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall leave the field after a game with Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
10 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall watches players during warmups with Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
11 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall high-fives fans as he enters the stadium as BYU and Virginia prepare to play at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
12 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers and Notre Dame play in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall is stepping down.. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
13 of 23
Virginia Cavalier coach Bronco Mendenhall speaks to members of the media after a game with Notre Dame in Charlottesville, Va., on Thursday Nov 13, 2021. Mendenhall is stepping down as coach. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
14 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall walks off the field as fans cheer for him and thank him as BYU defeats Virginia at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. BYU won 66-49. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
15 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall and Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake embrace at midfield prior to BYU and Virginia playing at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
16 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall walks off the field as fans cheer for him and thank him as BYU defeats Virginia at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. BYU won 66-49. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
17 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall meets his players as they walk off the field after falling to BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. BYU won 66-49. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
18 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall walks off the field as fans cheer for him and thank him as BYU defeats Virginia at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. BYU won 66-49. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
19 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall and Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake talk at midfield prior to BYU and Virginia playing at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
20 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall and Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake embrace at midfield prior to BYU and Virginia playing at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
21 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendehall, center, points to a fan after giving him knuckles as he and his team arrive at the stadium as BYU and Virginia prepare to play at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
22 of 23
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall walks to the locker room as he and his team arrive at the stadium as BYU and Virginia prepare to play at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
23 of 23
Mativa Tupe presents Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall with a lei as he and his Cavaliers team arrive for the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

“He has established the necessary foundation to propel our football team upward. He is more than a football coach and the impact he has had on these young men will be a positive influence for the rest of their lives.”

Mendenhall, 55, has a record of 36-38 in six seasons at Virginia since leaving BYU following the 2015 campaign.

View Comments

The Cavaliers are 6-6 this season, and there has been growing frustration among the fan base over the performance of the team.

Virginia won nine games in 2019. That was the high over a steady growth period after the team won just two contests his first season there.

“He is an amazing colleague to our other coaches and staff, always willing to help wherever it is needed,” Williams said in the announcement. “I have been blessed to have been able to work with him these last four years and I wish he and (his wife) Holly the very best in their next chapter.”

Overall in his career, Mendenhall has a record of 135-81, as he went 99-43 in 11 seasons at BYU.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.