BYU Cougars

Former BYU player calls Mendenhall a 'great man and a real life inspiration figure'

Published Jul. 21, 2015 10:41 a.m. ET

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Former BYU defensive back Harvey Jackson played only one season for the Cougars, but it was one that he will never forget.

Jackson transferred from Nebraska to BYU for his senior year and said playing in Provo for coach Bronco Mendenhall was a life changing experience.

Jackson was so touched he penned an emotional “Letter of Gratitude” on Facebook, which he gave permission to the Daily Herald to publish.

Here is the letter:

BYU is no ordinary place. Every time I sit back and replay my senior season as a collegiate football player, I couldn’t be more proud of the fact that I chose to play for Coach Bronco Mendenhall.

After watching Coach Mendenhall lead our team this past year, 14’-15’, through tremendous ups and downs, I came to realize how he was not only a special football coach, but also a great man and a real life inspiration figure.

Understand that I consider myself a realist and it was real inspiring viewing Coach Mendenhall strategically take control of his whole football team, which at the time were a group of lost and hurt individuals, after falling from a high 4-0 record to a quick 4-4 nightmare in the matter of seconds, each week.

Needless to say our football team were full of young man from totally different backgrounds, culture, life settings, attitudes, athleticism and also age ranges (from true freshmen all the way to senior returning missionaries); while losing our rising star quarterback Taysom Hill.

Coach Mendenhall somehow acted urgently and specifically but also calmly and respectfully; it was weird because I expected something totally differently.

Returning players saw it as the norm while I was confused waiting on the breakdown, but it never happen; Coach Mendenhall didn’t flinch, sweat, budge, or point the finger; or at least not in front of us players.

And through the midst of it all, he was still teaching us life fundamentals of what it takes to be a man by staying organized, focused, fearless, and ready.

We ended the regular season 8-4 on a emotional rollercoaster, but respected the finish because the drive was challenging. Its crazy what can happen when the trust and respect is mutual between the players and coach(es).

Because of that, everyday was a great day to be a cougar and still is. I’m excited to watch Coach Bronco Mendenhall and the Cougars take on this years upcoming schedule as it one of the toughest in BYU’s history and I know Coach Mendenhall is the right guy for the job.

I believe Coach Mendenhall is one of the better college football coaches out there today due the standard he must keep us abiding by and the mark of victories accomplished year round.

I again would like to thank coach Mendenhall for not only taking a chance on me but for allowing me the option of taking a chance on him.

Go Cougars,

Harvey

(h/t Daily Herald)