lumnThey have pinned everything on winning, and allowed what culture they had built, that started with McBride, and continued until around 2013 or 2014.

That culture was built around hard work, dedication, discipline, a strong D, and just over all being strong in the trenches, but most importantly, there was a family vibe that had developed, which is why so many Polys found it easy to gravitate towards.

In the early days of the PAC they kept that culture going. But because they were not getting the results they wanted in the Win/Loss Column, Kyle, with some outside pressures, made the decision to abandon much of the culture, to bring in a lot more hired guns, and many questionable players, all in pursuit of winning.

That time just happened to coincide with a significant drop off in the level of play in the PAC, especially among the PAC 12 Powers, USC and Oregon. Because of the drop off in play in the PAC, Utah started winning more games and becoming relevant in the PAC. That gave Utah the false belief they had made the right decision, and they effectively abandoned what had built them into the program that had 2 undefeated seasons in 2004 and 2008.

Kyle of course, kept that tough D mentality and approach, but the family feeling around the program quickly disappeared, and was replaced by a program hyper focused on winning and developing guys for the NFL. Once you start bringing major contributors that are hired guns, they are rarely there for your culture. They come in with the mentality of getting theirs and what the program can do for them, with no care for how they can help build the program.

When you couple that with the constant turnover at OC. One side of the ball now has no identity. And then the family culture is gone, and there's nothing to hold the team together as a whole.

When winning becomes your main focus, eventually you are going to fail.

How often have you heard top flight coaches talk about culture and building the right culture? Building the right Culture is everything if you want long term success.

Winning is the byproduct of a program with a great culture.

I have a few other thoughts I will share later, but I coach my sons basketball team and we have practice I have to head out to get ready for.