Bronco Mendenhall Reportedly Set to Lead Utah State Football
Big changes are on the horizon for Utah State football, as sources have revealed to ESPN’s Pete Thamel that the Aggies are expected to hire New Mexico‘s Bronco Mendenhall as their next head coach. The news broke late Thursday, and it’s already creating a buzz in the college football world.
Mendenhall, who just wrapped up his first season with the Lobos, managed to guide the team to a 5-7 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the Mountain West Conference. Interestingly, that’s the same conference record Utah State posted this season. While the Lobos fell short of bowl eligibility, Mendenhall’s impact on a program that hadn’t won more than four games since 2016 is undeniable. His tenure in New Mexico may have been brief, but it was enough to catch the attention of Utah State’s decision-makers.
A Familiar Face in Utah
For fans of college football in Utah, Mendenhall is a name that carries weight. He spent over a decade as the head coach at BYU from 2005 to 2015, where he built a reputation as a consistent winner. During his time with the Cougars, Mendenhall led the team to 11 consecutive bowl games and achieved five seasons with 10 or more wins. That kind of success doesn’t go unnoticed, and it’s clear that Utah State is banking on Mendenhall’s ability to replicate that magic in Logan.
After leaving BYU, Mendenhall took on a new challenge at Virginia, where he turned the Cavaliers into a legitimate contender in the ACC. His most notable season came in 2019 when he guided Virginia to a 9-5 record and an Orange Bowl appearance. However, after stepping down following the 2021 season, Mendenhall took a two-year hiatus from coaching before returning to the sidelines with New Mexico in 2024.
Turning Things Around in New Mexico
When Mendenhall took over the Lobos, the program was in dire straits. New Mexico hadn’t seen a winning season since 2016, but Mendenhall quickly injected new life into the team. The highlight of the Lobos’ 2024 campaign came in a thrilling 38-35 victory over then-No. 18 Washington State, a win that kept their bowl hopes alive heading into the final week of the regular season. Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed with a loss to Hawaii, but the progress was evident.
In his 19 years as a head coach across three programs, Mendenhall boasts an impressive 145-95 record. That kind of experience and success is exactly what Utah State needs as they prepare for a new chapter in their football history.
What’s Next for Utah State?
The Aggies are coming off a tough 4-8 season under interim coach Nate Dreiling, who stepped in after Blake Anderson was fired in July. With Mendenhall at the helm, Utah State is looking to turn the page and build a program that can compete not just in the Mountain West but also in the Pac-12, where the Aggies are set to move starting in the 2026 season.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what Mendenhall brings to the table:
- Proven Success: 11 straight bowl appearances at BYU and an Orange Bowl berth with Virginia.
- Rebuilding Expertise: Turned struggling programs like Virginia and New Mexico into competitive teams.
- Deep Utah Ties: A decade of experience coaching in the state, making him a familiar and trusted figure.
For Utah State fans, the hire signals a commitment to building a winning culture and preparing for the challenges of competing in a Power Five conference. Mendenhall’s track record suggests he’s more than capable of meeting those expectations.
Reactions and Expectations
The move has already sparked plenty of reactions from fans and analysts alike. Many are excited about the potential for Mendenhall to bring stability and success to a program that has struggled in recent years. Others are curious to see how he’ll adapt to the unique challenges of coaching in the Pac-12, especially with the conference undergoing its own transformations.
One thing is certain: Bronco Mendenhall’s return to Utah is a storyline to watch. With his history of success and his ability to turn programs around, the Aggies may have just found the leader they need to take their football program to the next level.
Originally Written by: Pete Thamel
