BYU AD Tom Holmoe discusses Yoeli Childs situation, football schedules and Zach Wilson’s leadership at Education Week

Annual Q&A session with BYU fans is always a summer highlight for Cougar supporters

Published: Aug 21, 2019, 11:38 a.m. MDT

BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe meets with reporters for his semiannual media Q&A roundtable in Provo on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nate Edwards, BYU photo

Jay has covered sports in Utah for more than 30 years and has been writing for the Deseret News since 2019.

PROVO — One of the highlights of BYU’s annual Education Week classes every summer is longtime athletic director Tom Holmoe’s question-and-answer session on all things BYU sports.

Holmoe addressed another large audience at the Clyde Building on Wednesday morning, eight days before the Cougars meet Utah in the annual rivalry football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium, and naturally most of the questions centered around football.

Here are some of Holmoe’s responses in the 55-minute Q&A:

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On BYU quarterback Zach Wilson:

First question for Holmoe is on BYU QB Zach Wilson and how he will do soph. season: "He is a tremendous individual. He has a focus on what he wants to accomplish." Said ZW invites teammates, and their wives, to film viewing sessions.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On the Yoeli Childs situation:

Why the paperwork snafu happened to Yoeli Childs. Tom went through the process of Rose retiring and Pope hiring and how for 15 days Yoeli "wasn't really in a good spot" about how things were going to be. Said Yoeli was following same process as previous year, but rules changed.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

Holmoe on Childs' signing with agent before filing proper paperwork: "Technically, it was wrong. ... He just had bad advice." Said once Yoeli took money from an agent (even though he paid it back), "it was a done deal."
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On BYU’s 2019 football schedule:

Holmoe on the football schedule: "We have a chance to make a name for ourselves this year." Says they will find out if they are any good "really soon."
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

Holmoe: "ESPN doesn't tell us who to play -- ever." Question was why BYU is playing four-straight P5 opponents to open season. Holmoe asks for show of hands -- crowd overwhelming in favor of playing P5 opponents, at any time.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

Question on the 8:15 p.m. MT kickoffs and why they play them. Holmoe says almost all the P5 conference teams play them. The reason is easy -- for the TV money. Credit to him for just acknowledging it.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

Tom asks how many among audience is going to the Tennessee game in Knoxville. About 25 people raise their hands. Joked about BYU having a beverage contract with Coke and Tennessee having one with a beverage maker I will not name. Said UT administration has been great to work with
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On future football schedules:

Tom Holmoe just said he recently scheduled a football game for 2033. Seriously. Didn't name the opponent, but says he hopes he's not the AD then.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On football coach Kalani Sitake’s contract:

Tom Holmoe said not extending Kalani Sitake's contract has "no" impact currently on beating the University of Utah and others for football recruits. Nothing else. Just "no."
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On his best experience as athletic director:

BYU AD Tom Holmoe was just asked about his best experience in his tenure. Said it was the Brandon Davies saga and seeing the basketball star returning to school after being dismissed.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On Jim McMahon:

Tom gets choked up a bit when asked why BYU promotes Jim McMahon so much, given his past foibles. Said McMahon was "best teammate I ever had." Said McMahon is major reason BYU football took off. Mentioned Jimmy Mac graduating from BYU few years ago. Clearly didn't like question.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On new men’s basketball coach Mark Pope and analytics:

Holmoe asked about Mark Pope's fondness for analytics: "We are in the genesis of analytics" at every facet of BYU athletics, including ticketing, marketing and on-field performance.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On BYU’s athletics facilities:

Fourth question is on BYU athletics facilities and whether BYU is keeping up. Says athletics "will be a part of" an overall master plan that will make BYU's entire campus change its look in next 20 years. Offered nothing specific regarding athletics.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On BYU’s wide receivers:

Holmoe points out Aleva Hifo and Talon Shumway as receivers who are veterans and will make a difference. Also mentioned Dax Milne, Gunner Romney. "And there's a couple good, young kids."
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

On the baseball team missing the NCAAs:

Sixth question is on BYU baseball team not making NCAA Tournament possibly because of no-Sunday play rule. Tom said that probably wasn't the reason. Just not good enough.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

More on the football team:

Holmoe said the football team has invested in each other and have worked hard to be good teammates. Says Cougars have really worked on chemistry and connection. Mentions how women's volleyball team conquered that last year en route to Final Four.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

Holmoe says he will go to closed scrimmage at LES after his address and talk to some people he's never met before. Is discussing the importance of developing relationships and work of author and speaker John Maxwell.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

Zach Wilson's mom, Lisa @lisadancefit Wilson, gets a shoutout for her tweets at Holmoe's Ed Week address, but he doesn't comment on them specifically. Just smiles and nods his head.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 21, 2019

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