We started hearing about how things were more "chill" and easier from year one, and it continued after that. I tend not to trust much of what Francis Bernard has to say, but he also said they are working harder at Utah than he/they did at BYU.
The players don't owe me anything. They shouldn't decide to spend more time on football to satisfy me or other fans. But most of them would probably actually prefer a coach who convinced them to work harder.